The Temple College women's basketball team hosted No. 21 Collin County Community College in North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference action Wednesday evening at Kirby Johnson Court.

The Cougars gradually pulled away in the second half and defeated the Leopards, 68-50.

Both teams had two-point leads early on before Collin grabbed a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter 16-13.

Temple (15-9 overall, 5-5 NTJCAC) stayed within a two-possession differential of the Cougars in the second quarter, and closed the halftime margin to six points, 31-25.

Collin outscored the Leopards in the third quarter, 24-14, and led by 16 points heading into the fourth period, 55-39.

The Leopards were unable to make up the ground that they needed and fell to the Cougars by 18.

Gabby Morales led all scorers with 24 points. Sara Basaran chipped in 19 for Collin (19-4 overall, 9-1 NTJCAC)

Korina Garcia led the Leopards with 20 points. Antronea Jackson added eight points for Temple.

The loss leaves Temple in fourth place, two games behind MCC for third place, one-half game ahead of Hill College, and a full game ahead of Weatherford College and Ranger College, who deadlocked in sixth place with six games remaining.

The Leopards will host Grayson College (18-3 overall, 8-1 NTJCAC) at 2 pm on Saturday at Kirby Johnson Court.