Chris Ellis scored 20 points to lead eight TC players in double figures as the Leopards hammered Southwestern Christian College 132-67 to clinch their ninth consecutive berth in the NJCAA Region V Tournament.
“What we talked about when I met 1-on-1 with our guys yesterday was, ‘Forget about the MCC game. I know you’re disappointed, but that’s over so now we have to make sure we have a spot in the tournament,’” Temple coach Kirby Johnson said. “I told them that this was the first of six playoff games tonight. We came out strong and I really appreciated the way our guys played.”
Ervin Johnson posted 19 points and nine rebounds, J.B. Conley had 18 and eight and Wes Dipprey added 16 and 10 as the second-place Leopards moved to 25-3 overall and 9-3 in the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference. Also for TC, Jamar Beasley scored 14 points, Sean Jones had 12 and Thomas Anguiano and Jordan Brown contributed 11 apiece.
Ellis had the hot hand early and Temple used its press defense to jump out to leads of 9-0 and 25-8 en route to a 78-39 advantage against the Rams (9-16, 2-9).
The Leopards will play their final regular-season road game at 4 p.m. Saturday against fifth-place Grayson County. Temple’s final home game is at 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday against third-place Collin County.
Balanced TC women overwhelm Southwestern Christian
TERRELL - The Temple College women’s basketball cruised to a 77-55 win on Wednesday over Southwestern Christian College.
The Lady Leopards were led by Mareta Bailey, who finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Shondria Combs also led Temple with 15 points.
Bailey and Combs were two of five Lady Leopards who finished in double figures.
Marisa Rauss scored 13 points, while Alex Pinney scored 11 and Andrea Johnson finished with 10.
The Lady Leopards led 32-21 at the half.
Temple improved to 16-11 overall and 10-4 in the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference to remain in third place.
