TEMPLE, TX — It was a defensive grind at Wildcat Gym on Thursday evening as the Temple Tem-Cat junior varsity basketball team hosted Copperas Cove. In a game defined by gritty rebounding and tight pressure, the Tem-Cats couldn't quite overtake the Lady Dawgs in the final minutes, falling 32-27.

Game Flow: A Neck-and-Neck Affair

From the opening tip, neither side was willing to give an inch. The first quarter ended in a 5-5 deadlock, setting the tone for a night where every bucket was earned the hard way. The second frame was nearly as tight, with Cove edging out a one-point advantage to take a 13-12 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The third quarter proved to be the turning point. Copperas Cove found a small offensive rhythm, outscoring Temple 11-8. Despite a late push by the Tem-Cats in the fourth, the Lady Dawgs mirrored Temple’s 7-point output in the final period to secure the five-point victory.

Top Performers

Ava Anderson led the charge for the Tem-Cats, finishing as the game's high scorer for Temple with 10 points. Anderson was the primary engine for the offense in the transition game, netting 5 points in both the second and fourth quarters.

Kimorah Fillmore provided a critical spark in the third quarter, accounting for half of the team’s production in that frame with 4 points. Other contributors included:

Jazale Mose: 5 points
Eowyn Bristol: 3 points
Elysia Cortez: 2 points
Cykhiah White: 1 point

Looking Ahead

While the loss is a tough pill to swallow in a game that remained within reach until the final whistle, the Tem-Cats won't have much time to dwell on it. They return to action quickly as they continue their home stand.

The Tem-Cats will host Midway at Wildcat Gym on Friday, January 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM.