The Temple College women's basketball team completed the first half of their North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference season on Wednesday, as they hosted the Cisco College Wranglers at Kirby Johnson Court.
The Leopards jumped out to a big start on both offense and defense, as they led wire-to-wire in a 63-46 win over the Wranglers.
"We've played three games in five days. That is tough for anybiody," Temple College head coach Amber Taylor said. "No matter who you are; three games in five days is a lot of basketball. Going to McLennan to get a road win in Waco on Saturday, turning around and winning against Southwestern Christian here on Monday night which was a rescheduled game, and playing again tonight. You just want your kids to compete and play as hard as they possibly can. Still a little sluggish at times, but they still find a way to win."
Temple (14-8 overall, 4-4 NTJCAC) scored the game's first 15 points over the opening 6:53. Emori Lasalle, Gabby Edo, Chyna Nixon, and Daija Mitchell scored during stretch.
Paulette Mbuangi scored Cisco's first two points on free-throws, and Ma'Kayla Mayes hit the Wranglers' first field goal with 2:40 to play in the opening period.
The Leopards led after the first period, 24-6.
Temple's defense was suffocating in lockstep with their offense. The Leopards received contributions from all 11 players in uniform, as TC led at halftime, 40-21.
"Defense is something that we can hang our hat on," Taylor said. "If the shots aren't falling, we can rely on our defense. The shots were falling tonight. I thought when we went to McLennan, our defense was outstanding. It has not fallen off since."
The balanced offensive attack was apparent in the third period, as the defense created scoring five of the Leopards, as they opened up their game-high 25-point lead, 56-31, heading into the final quarter.
Cisco (8-13 overall, 0-8 NTJCAC play) continued to battle in the fourth period, as they pulled to within 15 points late. The Leopards slammed the door late and clinched the 17-point win to improve to 4-4 in conference play.
Temple hit seven three-pointers and were 9-of-14 from the free-throw line.
Lasalle led all scorers with 19 points, which included 17 in the first half and four three-pointers. Edo added ten and Mitchell chipped in seven.
"Emori is a great all-around player," Taylor said. "She's a good defender. She is long and athletic. She plays great off-ball defense as well. In the last few games, she has really come on as a good scorer for us, as well as three-point threat."
Cisco hit four three-pointers and converted 15-of-26 free throws.
Mayes led the Wranglers with 16 points, and Mbuangi added 15.
The Leopards have scored an average of 70 points a game and allowed 56 points per game over the course of their three-game win streak.
Temple will travel to Ranger College on Saturday to begin the second half of NTJCAC play.