The Temple College Leopards women's basketball team played their first game of the 2026 calendar year on Friday afternoon at Kirby Johnson Court, as they hosted the Western Texas College Westerners.

Temple's 17-0 run that bridged from the first quarter into the second provided the Leopards the momentum that they needed early, as the Leopards were able to flex their bench ahead of the upcoming start to the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference season with a 62-43 win over the Westerners.

The teams played even basketball in the first five minutes of the game, as TC and WTC were tied 7-7 at the first media timeout.

Temple (10-3) received a pair of three-pointers from Ranyiah Hunt and a five-point output from Antronea Jackson during the initial run. The Leopards led after the opening ten minutes, 17-7.

The Leopards posted seven more points before Western Texas (0-16) put together a 12-2 run to close the gap to seven points, 26-19, with two minutes left in the half.

Temple scored seven straight points to end the first half, and led at the break, 33-19.

The Westerners were unable to work the margin under 12 in the second half, as the relentless Temple defensive pressure in the lane forced unsuccessful low-percentage shots. Temple led at the end of the third quarter, 47-31.

The Leopards played the entire fourth quarter with reserves, who earned valuable playing time and played well, as they outscored the Westerners in the final frame, 13-12.

Temple shot 9-of-15 from the free-throw line and drained six three-pointers.

Eleven Leopards reached the scoresheet, with Hunt leading the way with 11 points.

WTC shot 14-of-19 from the charity stripe and hit four three-pointers.

Shani Johnson led the Westerners with 13 points.

Temple College travels to Brenham on Saturday for a 2 pm rematch against Blinn College.