The Temple College men's basketball team hosted the McLennan Community College Highlanders on Wednesdy night in an important North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference contest at Kirby Johnson Court.

The Leopards held Sophomore Night to honor the program's sophomores for their contributions to Temple College. Josh Telfort, Jason Ward, Jonty Kells, Ovie Agbigbe, Jaymes Brown-Peterson, Joel Brown, Roy Gardner, Harry Bates, and Nick Sanchez were the sophomores recognized.

McLennan opened a sizeable lead in the first half, and put the brakes on a TC rally attempt in the second as the Highlanders edged the Leopards, 83-72.

Temple (18-12 overall, 9-5 NTJCAC) and MCC (28-1 overall, 13-0 NTJCAC) swapped leads early before the Highlanders took a 12-9 lead with 14:47 left in the opening half.

MCC (28-1 overall, 13-0 NTJCAC) stretched to advantage to double digits with 1:28 to play in the half, and 45-33 advantage at the halftime break.

The Leopards closed the gap to four points with less than eight minutes to go. However, the Highlanders forced late turnovers and converted them to points.

Temple converted seven three-pointers and 9-of-12 at the free-throw line.

Telfort led the Leopards with 13 points. Gardner added 11 for Temple.

MCC hit five three-pointers and 10-of-15 from the free-throw line.

Aiden Law and Howard Gaskins, Jr. each scored 14 for MCC.

Temple's next game will be at the Region V quarterfinal round on March 12, with the opponent be determined.