Temple (11-18 overall, 5-9 12-5A) led 41-39 to start the fourth quarter. Guard D.J. Wright hit a 3-pointer with 5 minutes remaining and Donovan Shumpert and Domonique Robertson made free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
“They got it done,” first-year Wildcats coach Tim Thomas said. “It’s been a tough year. I’ve learned a lot. They came around tonight and battled. I’m so proud of this team.”
Erik Valdez poured in a career-high 28 points for Temple, which recorded consecutive district victories for the first time since winning two straight to start the 2005-06 season. The Wildcats will finish in fifth place.
“I feel like a proud papa seeing the growth in front of me,” Thomas said. “I wish we had more of a season to go.”
BELTON - A four-point third quarter spelled doom for Belton in a 62-36 loss to No. 11 Killeen Ellison in the regular season finale Tuesday night.
The Tigers (9-22, 3-11 District 12-5A) trailed just 22-20 at halftime but posted only four points in the third quarter and were outscored 40-16 in the second half.
Saquonne Crump and Eric Braeuer had eight points apiece for Belton. Devonte Brown had a game-high 16 points for the Eagles (27-4, 12-2), who got 12 each from Zack Mims and Chris Harpe.
