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TEMPLE -- The A&M Consolidated Tigers couldn't get rid of Temple for three quarters Tuesday night. Despite their season-long struggles, the Wildcats hung around like a pest.
Then Consolidated found another gear, turning into a maroon 18-wheeler that treated Temple like a bug on the windshield.
The Tigers made their first six shots of the fourth quarter and grabbed the first eight rebounds, rolling to an 87-67 victory over Temple at Wildcat Gym. Consol (18-7 overall, 5-2 District 13-5A) hung on to a share of second place in District 13-5A as both teams started the second round of league play.
Temple (9-17, 1-6) tumbled out of playoff contention during the first round, but the Wildcats were looking for their second consecutive win after beating Belton last week. The Wildcats led late in the first half, and the home team was within 56-50 going into the final period.
"We did not panic, and that was the best part of our game," Consol coach Rusty Segler said. "[Temple coach] Bruce [Etheridge] had them ready, and I can't stand walking into this gym. This place has some [bad] memories for me."
Instead of hitting the panic button, the Tigers hit the gas pedal to start the fourth quarter. Guard Timmy Hamilton hit a couple of 3-pointers and reserve Kevin Jefferson added two baskets as Consol started the period 6 for 6.
The sizzling shooting was complemented by rugged rebounding. Forward Ray Holliday grabbed seven rebounds in the period, and Consol captured the first eight on its way to a 12-3 advantage on the boards.
"I felt like we were right there in it, and then the bottom fell out," Etheridge said. "We have those moments in a game where there's about a 3-minute stretch when we fall asleep, and that killed us."
Jefferson finally ended Consol's perfect shooting streak when he missed a 21-footer with 3 minutes, 48 seconds left in the game, but by then the Tigers had built a 73-55 lead.
The first half was close, with the Tigers unable to pull away from the team they beat by 29 points earlier in the season. Consol built a 39-33 halftime lead, outscoring Temple by five points while primary inside threat Holliday missed the last 6:35 of the half after picking up his second foul.
Sophomore Jefferson helped the Tigers withstand the absence of Holliday. Jefferson scored nine of his 20 points in the second quarter.
"This was Kevin's best game," Segler said. "He's gone harder in practice the last two days, and it showed tonight. I was sitting there hoping we could just stay ahead while Ray was out. That just proves that we're a multi-dimensional team."
The guard tandem of Hamilton and Terrence Bowser supplied a fast finish to the first half and a furious start to the fourth quarter. Hamilton had four of Consol's last five baskets of the second period on his way to a game-high 24 points. Bowser set up two of those Hamilton hoops that fueled the fast break down the stretch, finishing with 15 points.
For the quarter, Consol made 12 of 16 shots and scored 31 points.
Holliday had a quiet scoring night with seven points, but he dominated around the basket with 13 rebounds despite being in foul trouble.
"Ray almost had every rebound in the fourth quarter," Segler said. "It was ridiculous. He usually never gets rest, but with him getting that rest, I think that's why he was a monster in the second half."
• Larry Bowen's e-mail address is larry.bowen@theeagle.com.
Consol 87, Temple 67
(Numbers indicate field goals, free throws made-attempted, fouls and points)
CONSOL (18-7, 5-2 in 13-5A) -- Jarvon Searcy 0 0-0 0 0; Timmy Hamilton 10 0-0 1 24; Jose Garcia 1 0-0 1 3; Jay Flowers 5 0-0 1 12; Terrence Bowser 5 4-5 1 15; Ray Holliday 3 1-2 4 7; Xavier Workman 3 0-1 2 6; Kevin Jefferson 7 5-6 1 20; Tyler Hatch 0 0-0 0 0. TOTALS: 34 10-14 11 87.
TEMPLE (9-17, 1-6) -- K.J. Wright 1 0-0 1 2; Jeff Hodges 4 0-0 1 10; Derrick Davis 0 0-0 3 0; Lache Seastrunk 6 2-4 1 14; Jay Broussard 0 1-2 2 1; Bron Etheridge 8 1-1 2 18; Eric Valdez 7 4-4 3 18; James Gude 2 0-0 2 4. TOTALS: 28 8-11 15 67.
Consol 19 20 17 31 -- 87
Temple 19 14 17 17 -- 67
Rebounds: Consol 38, Temple 28.
Turnovers: Consol 7, Temple 14.
JV: Temple 75, Consol 68. AMC -- Stephen Bryant 18, C.J. Anderson 15, Jared Robinson 13.
Freshmen: Consol Maroon 53, Temple 48. AMC -- Cameron Debesse 17, Chris Nutall 12. Consol White 65, Temple 46. AMC -- Kelly Keller 14, Brent Fiechtner 13, Rami Mooti 12.
Next: Consol will host Killeen Shoemaker on Friday.
