TEMPLE, TX — It was a Tuesday night thriller at Wildcat Gym that came down to the final possession, but the Temple Wildcat Freshman Blue basketball team fell just short in a 54-53 heartbreaker against the Bryan Vikings.
In a back-and-forth District 12-6A battle, the Wildcats displayed a balanced offensive attack and grit on the defensive end, but the Vikings managed to escape with the narrow road victory.

Balanced Attack Leads the Way

Temple saw contributions from across the roster, nearly overcoming Bryan’s late-game execution. Kaiden Brown led the scoring effort for the Wildcats, dropping 12 points and providing a steady presence in the paint. He was joined in double figures by Zephaniah Gibson, who accounted for 10 points.

The Wildcats' depth was on full display throughout the evening:

Kaiden Brown: 12 points
Zephaniah Gibson: 10 points
Jo'Shon Jackson: 8 points
Drew Brischke: 8 points
Mack Hine: 4 points
Leon Tolbert: 2 points

Despite the offensive output and several clutch shots in the fourth quarter, Temple couldn't quite find the final bucket needed to reclaim the lead in the closing seconds.

Look Ahead: Road Trip to Cove

While the loss is a tough pill to swallow in district play, the Wildcats won't have long to dwell on it. They will look to bounce back and get back into the win column next week.

Next Game Details:

Opponent: Copperas Cove Bulldawgs
Date: Tuesday, January 27
Location: Copperas Cove High School
Tip-off: 5:00 PM

The Wildcats will be looking to carry the intensity from Tuesday's performance onto the road as they continue their push through the District 12-6A schedule.