HARKER HEIGHTS, TX – In a defensive battle that remained within reach for much of the first half, the Temple Tem-Cats ultimately fell to the Harker Heights Lady Knights on Tuesday evening, dropping a 50-28 decision on the road.

The contest opened as a gritty, low-scoring affair. Temple struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first quarter, managing only 3 points as the Lady Knights built an early 8-3 lead. However, the Tem-Cats showed significant grit in the second frame. Led by active play on the glass and opportunistic defense, Temple outscored Heights 11-10 in the quarter, heading into the locker room trailing by just four points, 18-14.

Second Half Surge

The momentum shifted decisively in the third quarter. The Lady Knights found their range and increased the defensive pressure, holding the Tem-Cats to just 6 points while putting up 15 of their own. That trend continued into the final period as Harker Heights pulled away, outscoring Temple 17-8 to seal the victory.

Stat Leaders

Despite the tough result, several Tem-Cats put up gritty performances across the stat sheet:
Tierney Perkins: Led the scoring effort with 8 points, adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Jesse Johnson: A force in the paint, hauling in a team-high 8 rebounds to go along with 6 points and 2 steals.

Alanah Johnson: Contributed 4 points and 6 rebounds, while providing a presence at the rim with a blocked shot.

Maciah Morgan & Kendall Tate: Combined for 11 rebounds, helping Temple compete on the boards throughout the night.

The Tem-Cats also saw scoring contributions from Ja’Tayah Brown (3 points), Aniyah Brumet (2 points, 3 steals), Aaliyah Paul (2 points), and Ka’Myhria Freeman (2 points). Ja’Marea Wilson was active across the board, recording 5 rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

Looking Ahead

The Tem-Cats (now looking to bounce back) will return to the friendly confines of Wildcat Gym this Friday, February 6. They are set to host Copperas Cove in a pivotal home matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.