When it comes down to it, there are no off-nights in the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference.

The conference began play on Wednesday evening, as the Temple College women's basketball team hosted Ranger College at Kirby Johnson Court.

Having shrugged of an 11-point deficit early, the Leopards methodically pared down the margin, got tying and go-ahead baskets from Korina Garcia, and got a stout effort from the defense as Temple defeated Ranger, 59-54.

Akayla Fields scored ten points in the first quarter, as Ranger pulled out to an eight-point advantage to a 15-7 score at the end of the opening ten minutes.

Down 19-8 to seven minutes left in the first half, the Leopards outscored the Rangers down the stretch of the second quarter, 20-12. Emori Lasalle and Kyla Clark drained two three-pointers apiece, as Temple trailed Ranger at the half, 31-28.

The teams traded baskets to start the third quarter before Garcia's three-points with 2:42 tied the game at 37-37. Garcia's basket on Temple's next trip down the floor game Temple the lead for good. TC led at the end of 30 minutes, 43-39.

The Leopards outscored Ranger 16-15 in the final quarter, with Lasalle having scored ten of Temple's points in the period.

Temple (11-4, 1-0 NTJCAC) shot 10-of-14 from the free-throw line and hit six three-pointers.

Lasalle led the way for Temple with 17 points and Clark added 13 for Temple.

Ranger (5-10, 0-1 NTJCAC) was 7-of-10 at the free-throw line and hit four three-pointers.

Fields led all scorers with 19 points for Ranger.

Temple will travel to take on No. 19 Collin County Community College on Saturday. The Cougars defeated Weatherford College in Plano on Wednesday evening, 109-75.