Jaylen Bond - The Temple News

The Quakers shot 12-of-20 from beyond the arc in Penn’s 77-70 win against Temple Saturday night at the Liacouras Center.

Jaylen Bond has boosted the team’s defensive effort in a turnaround season.

Senior guards Will Cummings and Jesse Morgan paced Temple in a 90-77 defeat of the Colonials Sunday.

After missing out on March Madness, the Owls will begin NIT play on Wednesday.

The Mustangs outscored Temple, 43-26, in the second half of a conference-tournament semifinal en route to the 69-56 victory Saturday.

Temple knocked off Memphis, 80-75, in a close contest Friday to secure its first victory in a conference tournament since 2011.

The Owls enter the conference tourney with the No. 4 seed.

The Owls’ NCAA tournament chances hinge on three vital aspects of their play.

Two second-half dunk connections from Will Cummings to Jaylen Bond helped ignite Temple’s 66-54 win Thursday night.

Will Cummings led the way with 17 points, while Jaylen Bond snared 16 rebounds to help Temple to a 66-53 victory Saturday.