the field in an 84–74 win over Northern Illinois. Lavoy Allen had 22 points and Ramone Moore had 21 in the contest. Rahlir Jefferson's career-high 18 points led Temple Owls past Ohio 76–65 for the Owls' sixth consecutive victory. When Temple Owls squared off against #7 Villanova on December 30, it marked the first time since 1988 that two Philadelphia Big Five teams ranked in the Associated Press poll met. The Owls held star guard Corey Fisher to five points, but his backcourt mates Corey Stokes and Maalik Wayns tallied 24 and 21 points, respectively, to give Villanova a 78–74 victory. The game was back-and-forth all night, and Temple Owls held a 40–39 lead at the break. Villanova built a 10-point lead in the second half, but the Owls went on a 13–0 run to take a three-point lead. With 2.3 seconds left, Lavoy Allen hit a three to cut the Wildcats' lead to 76–74, but Wayns sealed the win with a pair of free throws. Allen scored 22 for Temple Owls, and Juan Fernandez had 20 points. Conference season To begin the conference season, the Owls won against Fordham 70–51 at the IZOD Center. Fordham last won a conference game on January 28, 2009, but Temple Owls had a 27–22 deficit in the first half. However, a balanced offensive attack, led by Juan Fernandez and Ramone Moore's 15 points each, helped Temple Owls to take the lead. Michael Eric scored his first collegiate double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Lavoy Allen was the fourth starter to score in double figures, with 12 points. On January 6, starting point guard Juan Fernandez bruised his knee in practice and missed the January 9 game against Saint Louis. Despite shooting 30.6 percent from the field, the Owls won 57–53 behind Ramone Moore's 15 points. Temple Owls was behind 41–32 with 10:13 remaining, then went on an 11–2 run. Moore scored five consecutive points to break a tie at 49, giving the Owls a lead. The Billikens missed all seven three-point shots against the Temple Owls defense. Fernandez also missed the January 12 game against St. Bonaventure, but the Owls defeated the Bonnies nonetheless, 83–55. Ramone Moore led all five starters in double-digit scoring with 19 points. The team shot 30 of 59 from the field and 9 for 21 from three-point land. Temple Owls' first loss in conference play was