The Temple College Leopards men's basketball faced a must-win situation, down to two games and sole possession of third place.

The Southwestern Christian College Rams were ready and eager to jump past the Leopards in the standings with a win.

Temple erased a 17-point lead after head coach Dr. Cliff Ellis called a timeout with 8:09 to go in the first half with an 21-4 run.

What ensued following that run was a roller coaster ride that was so tight neither team led by more than five points. TC endured a pesky SwCC offense and blocked two shots in the final five seconds to edge the Rams, 92-89.

The Rams outscored the Leopards over the first 11:51, 32-15 and forced Ellis to call a timeout and refocus the team.

The Leopards answered the call with a 21-4 run over the next 4:09 to tie the game at 36-36.

Temple took a 48-46 lead shortly before the half before Kainan Thomas had a buzzer-beating three-point shot to give the Rams the lead at the half, 49-48.

The teams traded the lead several times over the course of the second half. With Southwestern having led 83-82, Temple went on a 10-6 clip down the stretch.

Josh Telfort blocked the final two shots of the game to give Temple the three-point win.

The teams to combine for 46-of 70 from the free throw line.

Three Leopards scored in double figures led by Telfort with 23 points, Jaymes Brown-Peterson with 19, and Eben Effah with 14.

Southwestern Christian had five players in double figure scoring. Kainan Thomas scored 21, Dylon Richardson and Aaron Harden added 15, Donny Thomas had 14, and Carson Brown added 10.

Temple is 18-11 over, and is 7-6 in conference play, good for sole possession of third place. The loss by SwCC put a dent in their playoff hunt.

The Leopards will play McLennan Community College on Wednesday in Waco.