The Temple College Leopards men's basketball squad traveled to Ranger College on Wednesday night to begin North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference play.

In a game loaded with runs, the Leopards' final ten-point lead withstood a late Ranger scare as Temple hung on for an 89-83 win.

Ranger started the game with a 7-0 run over the game's first 1:58.

Temple answered with a 10-2 run over the next 2:17 to take a 10-9 lead.

After the teams traded the lead toward the middle portion of the half, Ranger's 10-2 run put the home-standers up 24-16 with 11:20 to go in the opening half.

The Leopards struck back with a 7-0 run, which triggered more baskets back and forth. The Rangers led at the half, 41-40.

It did not take long for TC to grab a significant lead in the second half, as Camren Roper, Josh Telfort, Storm Gilchrist, and Jason Ward scored in a 9-2 run which gave the Leopards a 49-43 lead.

Ranger answered with a 10-4 stretch, as the game was tied at 53-53 with 13:41 to play.

After a pair of technical fouls landed Ranger on the line, it was the foundation for a 9-2 run as the Leopards trailed 62-55 with 12:30 to go.

TC struck back with vengeance, as they went on a 24-7 sprint and took a ten-point lead, 79-69, with over five minutes to play.

With Temple up 83-73, CJ Evans and Anthony Medlock scored ten points in a span of three minutes to pull the Rangers to within two points, 85-83. However, Gilchrist made a rebound and drained two free throws to help ice the game.

Gilchrist led the Leopards with 21 points, while Telfort and Logan Myers added 14 points each. The Leopards drained ten three-pointers and converted 19-of-28 from the free-throw line.

Temple improved to 12-5 overall and 1-0 in NTJCAC play, while Ranger dropped to 10-7 overall and 0-1 in conference action.

The Leopards will host Collin County Community College at Kirby Johnson Court on Saturday at 4 pm.