ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- The third quarterfinal tips off at 6:30 here right by the ocean's edge as Temple and La Salle meet for the second time this season. The Owls are 18-12, finishing off the season with a four-game winning streak -- including a 85-66 drubbing of the Explorers in the season finale.

The Explorers are looking to get to .500. Last night, they edged Duquesne by 3. The game is a contrast of styles: La Salle is much smaller and averages just under 71 possessions a game; Temple averages only 65.6.

The Owls play it slow but shoot the lights out; their effective field goal percentage is 54.5, 19th in the nation. Dr. John Giannini's La Salle squad is led by Darnell Harris, a 6-1 senior who shoots the lights out. Temple counters with Dionte Christmas, who tied for the league's scoring lead at 20.3 ppg. Temple's Fran Dunphy runs a very tight rotation, so the Owls may be looking to get out early.