The Temple College Leopards men's basketball team began their 2025-2026 season with a pre-conference tilt against Fort Hood, almost a year to the date that Kirby Johnson Court was dedicated.

In that game, the Phantom Warriors pushed the tempo on the Leopards but Temple recovered to win 85-78 in one of TC's closest games of the season.

Saturday's game was tight early, as Fort Hood lead by seven points three minutes in. Temple broke away on a 69-27 stretch over the final 16 minutes of the first half and coasted to a 142-94 win over the Phantom Warriors.

Fort Hood separated from the Leopards initially in the first 3:30 of first, when Temple was unable to get shots to fall. The Leopards trailed at the first media timeout, 17-10.

Temple came out of the timeout and put together a 13-5 run over four minutes to take at 23-22 lead with 12 minutes left in the half.

The Leopards poured it on over the next 12 minutes, as they outscored Fort Hood 56-22 to lead at halftime, 79-44.

Fort Hood stayed close throughout the second half, but the Leopards outscored the Phantom Warriors in the final 20 minutes, 61-50.

Temple went 26-of-36 from the free-throw line, and drained nine three-pointers.

All 12 Leopards that dressed scored in the game, with seven having scored in double-figures. Jaymes Brown-Peterson led the way with 20 points, all scored in the first half. Harry Bates scored 17 points, 15 in the opening half. Josh Telfort and Byron Piper both scored 16 points.

The Leopards will travel to Dallas College – Brookhaven on Wednesdag for a 7 pm. contest.