TEMPLE, Texas — In a game defined by scoring surges and defensive stands, the Temple Tem-Cat junior varsity squad protected their home floor Friday evening, edging out the Midway Pantherettes 36-30 at Wildcat Gym.

The Tem-Cats used a dominant third-quarter performance to build a cushion that proved vital in the closing minutes of a back-and-forth physical contest.

Fast Start and a Defensive Grind

Temple jumped out to an early lead in the first frame, outscoring Midway 13-8. Jazale Mose set the tone early with 4 points in the paint, while Eowyn Bristol showcased her range by burying a shot from beyond the arc to help fuel the opening run.

However, the second quarter saw the offense go cold for both sides. In a true defensive stalemate, the Tem-Cats managed only a single point while Midway chipped away with 5, leaving Temple with a narrow 14-13 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.

The Third Quarter Surge

Whatever was said in the locker room worked. The Tem-Cats exploded for 17 points in the third quarter to seize control of the game. The offensive outburst was a balanced effort:

Eowyn Bristol took over, pouring in 6 of her team-high 9 points.
Jazale Mose continued her consistency, adding another 4 points to her total.

Azul Ceja provided the spark of the night, draining a clutch 3-pointer to energize the Wildcat Gym crowd.
By the end of the third, Temple had built a 31-21 lead.

Closing it Out

Midway refused to go away quietly, outscoring Temple 9-5 in the final period. With the Pantherettes pressuring, Ava Anderson stepped up for the Tem-Cats, scoring all 4 of her points in the fourth quarter to help stabilize the offense and keep Midway at arm's length.

Box Score Highlights

Eowyn Bristol led the scoring effort for Temple with 9 points, followed closely by Jazale Mose with 8. Ava Anderson and Cykhiah White each contributed 4 points, while Azul Ceja finished with 3. Rounding out the scoring for the Tem-Cats were Emmy Flores, Elysia Cortez, Kimorah Fillmore, and Alaina Lopez, who all chipped in 2 points apiece in the team victory.

Next Up:

The Tem-Cats will look to carry this momentum onto the road. They travel to face Harker Heights on Tuesday, February 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM.