MidValleySports.Com

By Alex A. Gonzalez

Temple City – Despite shooting 1-15 from 3-point land, the Temple City Rams’ defense, led by Gavin Hang, who had a game-high seven steals, forced 19 turnovers Monday night against the Alhambra Moors at Temple City High School as they squeaked out a 51-46 win. 

Throughout the first 16 minutes of Monday night’s contest, the two teams started slowly, with more rebounds than made baskets. Brayden Kwan helped give the Rams an 8-7 lead after the first quarter, after he scored half of the Rams’ points. Thai Ethan and Deuce Chang were the only Moors who converted on their shot attempts, keeping them within one. 

Then, as the second quarter unfolded, Alhambra went from driving to the cup in the first quarter to launching 3-point attempts in the second. Kaden Nghiem went 3-3 from long range, and the rest of the team added three more, which gave them a six-point advantage at the 5:54 mark of the second quarter. 

But once the Rams’ defense applied pressure after the Moors crossed half-court, Nghiem and the team went cold, opening the door for the Rams to close the half on an 8-2 run, tying the game at 22. 

Temple City then went small to start the third quarter, and it helped in their favor as Hang continued to get his hands in the passing lanes, which created loose balls for the Rams to pick up. 

The turnovers led to easy buckets for the Rams and Brayden Kwan, who led TC with 14 points, as they went on a 16-9 run in the third quarter, giving them a 38-27 lead heading into the final quarter. 

Alhambra continued to turn the ball over and struggled to find the bottom of the net in the final period, unable to break through the Rams’ smothering defense. However, once the contest was coming to an end, Justin Chhay was able to find his spot from behind the three-point line by sinking two of his four attempts to bring the Moors to single digits, but it was too late for a comeback. 

The Rams slowed the pace with their motion offense in the final two minutes, giving little opportunity for Alhambra to threaten a comeback. 

With the win, Temple City moves to 3-1 on the season and will host Arroyo on Wednesday. For Alhambra, they will look to bounce back this Wednesday when they host Wilson.