A comfortable halftime lead is something they’ve rarely enjoyed. And learning to how to handle it made for quite a tense second half.
Temple survived for a 75-63 win over Round Rock on Tuesday night at Wildcat Gym to extend its win streak to three games.
“We were fortunate that we were up and that’s a tough game,” Temple coach Tim Thomas said. “We had to figure out a way to win the game.”
Boosted by a solid first half, the Wildcats (3-2) took a 17-point halftime lead. Temple built its advantage holding the Dragons to 29-percent shooting from the field and forcing three times as many turnovers (21) as baskets allowed (seven).
Guard D.J. Wright scored 18 of his game-high 25 points in the first half, including three 3-pointers.
The Dragons tried to force turnovers with a full-court press, often leaving Wright open in the corner. After a slow start - along with the rest of the Wildcats’ offense - earlier in the season, Wright has scored in double-digits in three straight games.
“If you’re studying for a test and you’re not doing well in class, you study more,” Thomas said. “His studying is getting in the gym more and shooting it. It’s paying off for him.”
Aided by turnovers and fouls, the Dragons slowly worked their way back into the game in the second half.
The Wildcats committed 30 turnovers, 12 in the second half.
Round Rock did most of its damage in the paint, getting 19 points from forward Dax Hill, who was held to two points in the first half.
The Dragons had cut that 17-point deficit to eight after a quick 12-1 run to start the fourth quarter. Hill scored six of Round Rock’s points in that stretch.
The Wildcats responded, making eight of 10 free throws in the final three minutes to wrap up the win.
Forward Eric Valdez made all nine of his free throw attempts and scored 17 points, all in the second half.
What made those free throws even more important was the fact that Temple made just three fourth-quarter baskets, including a layup at the final buzzer by Donald Robinson.
Guard Lache Seastrunk, who scored 14 points, had the Wildcats’ two other fourth-quarter baskets.
“I’m proud of the guys for keeping their poise,” Thomas said. “We could have easily lost our poise there, got frustrated."
Temple plays Rockwall-Heath on Thursday in the first round of the Southlake Carroll Dragon Classic.
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
