The tough scheduling of non-conference matchups for the Temple College men's basketball team set them up for a rough North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference opener Wednesday night at Kirby Johnson Court.

Temple continued to battle through a stout Ranger defense all game long, battled through turnovers, and built a ten-point lead late before the night ended with a 90-83 victory.

The Leopards and Rangers played a grueling opening 20 minutes, as neither team led by more than four points at any given time over the first half. Temple led at the half, 45-41.

The teams went basket-for-basket early in the second half before Temple's gritty defense forced several key turnovers that Harry Bates and Josh Telfort turned into a combined 20 points in field goals. Ovie Agbigbe added two key three-pointers from above the key, and the Leopards converted free-throw opportunities into 11 points The Leopards led 89-79 with 1:04 remaining and held on for the seven-point victory.

Temple (10-7, 1-0 NTJCAC) converted 17-of-25 free-throws and drained seven three-pointers.

Four Leopards scored in double figures, led by Telfort with 22 points. Agbigbe added 17 points, Roy Gardner poured in 15 points, and Bates chipped in 12 points.

Ranger (6-11, 0-1 NJTCAC) converted 15-of-27 free-throws and sank four three-pointers.

Cam Brown led all scorers with 25 points for Ranger. Mafatime Ndaiye added 15 points, and Devin Whitten added 11 points for the Rangers.

The Leopards will take their first conference road trip of the season on Saturday, as they will take on Collin County Community College. The Cougars defeated Weatherford at home on Wednesday, 65-50.