Temple 92, Rhode Island 89

2/13/2008 9:25 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Dionte Christmas scored 27 points and hit two clutch free throws with six seconds left in overtime to help Temple to a 92-89 victory over Rhode Island on Wednesday.

Mark Tyndale had 24 points and reserve guard Semaj Inge tied his career high with 17 for Temple (13-10, 6-3 Atlantic 10), which is now 4-0 in overtime games this season.

Will Daniels had 26 points and Parfait Bitee had 17 for the Rams (20-5, 6-4), whose losses have all come on the road.

The Owls, who trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half and by 13 in the second, took an 86-81 lead in overtime, but Bitee hit a 3-pointer and Daniels made a layup to make it 86-85. Tyndale and Lavoy Allen each made follow-up shots to give the Owls a 90-86 edge with 13.3 seconds left, but Bitee made another trey with 7.1 seconds to go.

Christmas then made his two clinching foul shots with six seconds remaining, and Jim Barron's long desperation 3-point attempt was off the mark.