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Temple Cruises Past LA Tech and Into NIT Semifinals

3/26/2015

The sting of not hearing their named called on Selection Sunday is still evident for the Temple Owls.

While many teams struggle to recover from the heartbreak of missing the Big Dance, Temple has thrived so far in the NIT Tournament. That success continued Wednesday night, when the Owls blew past Louisiana Tech 77-59 to advance to the semifinals of the NIT in Madison Square Garden.

"I think the guys in the locker room, we want to make a point," Will Cummings said of the NCAA snub. "We're still kind of bitter about it. Our job is to just keep playing good basketball and winning games."

Temple Handles George Washington To Advance to NIT Quarterfinals

3/22/2015

The NIT Tournament often serves as a team’s last chance to prove the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee wrong. To prove that they belonged in the Big Dance.

Temple sees things a bit differently however.

For the Owls, it’s not necessarily about proving anyone wrong, but rather taking advantage of every opportunity they have to continue their season.

Temple took advantage of that opportunity Sunday morning, moving past George Washington with a 90-77 win to advance to the quarterfinals of the NIT Tournament Wednesday night.

“We were kind of just looking to protect our home court and make a statement and that’s what we did,” said Jesse Morgan.

Wildcats Defeat Leopards In The Battle Of The Big Cats

3/19/2015

Villanova came to play tonight, as the Wildcats defeated the Leopards of Lafayette by a final score of 93-52. In a game that was never in doubt from the get go, Villanova had six different players score at least 10 points (Pinkston, Ochefu, Hilliard, Ennis, Arcidiacono, and Jenkins). Ennis led the Wildcats with 16 points, while Dan Trist led all scorers with 18 points.

Temple Tops Bucknell in First Round NIT Matchup

3/19/2015

For most teams, the NIT Tournament serves one main purpose: prove the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee erred in its decision not to include them in the Big Dance.

On Wednesday night at the Liacouras Center, Temple began its quest to prove that the Selection Committee was sorely mistaken when it chose to include teams such as UCLA, Texas and Indiana rather than the Owls.

Senior Will Cummings would shine for Temple in its first round NIT matchup with Bucknell, scoring 30 points to lead the Owls to a 73-67 win over the Bison, and continue their quest to prove they belonged in the field of 68.

BroadStBeat.com NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge

3/15/2015

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Temple Bows Out of AAC Tourney With Loss to SMU

3/14/2015

Life on the bubble just became a bit more strenuous for the Temple Owls.

With a chance to likely lock up an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon against #20 SMU, Temple would be unable to rise to the occasion.

After taking a two-point lead to the locker room at the half, the Owls would go ice cold in the second half, falling 69-56 to the Mustangs.

While a win would’ve likely been the final touch on Temple’s solid resume, the loss puts the Owls’ tournament hopes on life support and in the hands of the NCAA Selection Committee.

Temple Survives Scare Against Memphis

3/13/2015

Survive and advance.

That’s the motto of many college basketball teams this time of year. Temple is no different.

The Owls entered the XL Center in Hartford on Friday firmly situated on the NCAA Tournament bubble and in need of a win over Memphis to likely keep their tournament hopes alive.

After more than 39 minutes of play, Temple would find itself knotted at 71-71 with the Tigers and the pressure continuing to build.

A scramble would ensue under the Temple basket with 39 seconds remaining, as Will Cummings came away with the ball and fed it to Obi Enechionyia for the basket and the foul. Enechionyia would sink the free throw to give the Owls a 74-71 lead, and Temple would hang on down the stretch for an 80-75 win over Memphis to advance to the semifinals of the AAC Tournament.

“Just a great win for us,” said Temple Coach Fran Dunphy. “Any time you can advance in your conference tournament, we’re delighted to do it. I thought we made some good plays down the stretch. I thought our defense was decent and yet we gave up a couple of easy baskets that we probably can’t do. But, we survived. And we survived and move on tomorrow and play a very good SMU team.”

Saint Joseph’s Season Comes to an End With Loss to St. Bonaventure

3/13/2015

This time last year, Phil Martelli and his Saint Joseph’s Hawks were making a run through the Atlantic 10 Tournament that would culminate in the Hawks senior-heavy squad cutting down the nets at the Barclays Center.

With a much less experienced roster this year, the Hawks went through quite a bit of growing pains throughout the season.

Saint Joseph’s 2014-2015 season would culminate in disappointing fashion - a 60-49 loss to St. Bonaventure in the second round of the A-10 Tournament - but with just one senior starter on this year’s squad, Martelli’s team could look much stronger with another year of experience under their belts come November.

Will Cummings Named to First Team All-AAC

3/10/2015

Temple guard Will Cummings has been named to the 2014-2015 American Athletic Conference All-Conference First Team.

The senior guard, who has been pivotal to Temple’s success this season, has averaged 14.1 points, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while also making 77.9 percent of his free throws.

In addition to Cummings, forward Jaylen Bond was named was named to the AAC Honorable Mention list.

DeAndre’ Bembry Named to First Team All-Atlantic 10

3/10/2015

Saint Joseph’s guard/forward DeAndre’ Bembry has been named to the 2014-2015 Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team.

Bembry led the conference in scoring in both overall games (17.9 ppg) and in conference games (19.1 ppg).

The star sophomore, who was named A-10 Co-Rookie of the Year last season, also led the Hawks in rebounds (7.8), assists (3.6) and steals (1.9) per game.