BUCS HOOPS SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER

Ed Pothul February 8, 2018

173

Hot shooting Blinn defeats Lee College, 68-54

Lister, Grayson and Houston record double-digit points in victory

Blinn College men’s basketball snapped a two-game losing streak with a 68-54 victory over the Lee College Rebels on Wednesday night in the Kruse Center.

“Lee is a very dangerous team, but I thought our guys really hung tough and played well together,” said Scott Schumacher, Blinn head coach. “I thought our toughness really came through, especially in the second half when Lee was making some runs, but we were able to string some offensive scores and defensive stops together.”

Antione Lister contributed 15 points to lead the Blinn offense. Next was Tyrus Grayson with 12 points, while Markques Houston followed with 11 points and Tony Lewis with nine points.

“As long as we keep moving the ball, we open up so many easy opportunities and everyone on the team scores,” Lister said. “We really preach energy and we feed off of each other and off of any big plays and that really gets us into the game.”

Blinn and Lee opened the game with back and forth play for the score to remain even 10-10 with 13 minutes left before the halftime. Kae’ron Baker ignited Blinn’s offense with a shot from downtown and Blinn went on a 7-0 run to separate from Lee 21-13. Lee answered back with six straight points to gain on the Buccaneers, but Lister and Houston combined for the next eight points for Blinn to stay on top 33-18. Houston led the Buccaneers in the first half with 11 points for Blinn to lead 42-31 heading into the second quarter.

Grayson led the Buccaneers in the second half with eight points, while Lewis followed with seven to keep Blinn ahead of Lee for the final 20 minutes. Lee made up ground by sinking four three-pointers to narrow in on Blinn 55-50, but the Buccaneers pulled back ahead with an 11-0 run highlighted by Lewis scoring six straight points. Grayson scored the final points for Blinn to cap a 68-54 win.

The win increases Blinn’s overall record to 15-8 and Region XIV conference record to 6-7. The Buccaneers are 12-3 at home this season.

The Buccaneers will host San Jacinto College-Central on Saturday, Feb. 10 in the Kruse Center at 4 p.m. following the women’s basketball game against San Jacinto College-North starting at 2 p.m.

Both games will be Adam's Angels Ministry fundraiser games in which Blinn raises money and awareness for Adam's Angels. Adam's Angels Ministry is called to provide care and comfort for families that are in a battle against childhood cancer. The fundraising effort is part of Blinn's Adopt-a-Charity program in which all Blinn athletic programs dedicate a portion of their gate proceeds towards a charity. For more information on Adam's Angels Ministry visit www.adamsangelsministry.org.

Blinn women fall to No. 25 Panola College

Rayanna Carter scores a season-high 18 points

Blinn College women’s basketball played a close game with No. 25 Panola College until the Fillies pulled away in the final quarter to take a 65-53 victory in the Kruse Center on Wednesday night.

Rayanna Carter led the Buccaneers with a season-high 18 points, while Missy Archie and Kayla Konarik followed with nine points each and Kyler Wyatt chipped in with eight points.

After Panola took off with a 9-4 lead, Konarik recorded back-to-back three-pointers for Blinn to narrow in on the Fillies 15-12 in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Buccaneers and Fillies each scored 12 points for Panola to keep a 27-24 lead at the half. Blinn went on an 8-3 run that concluded with four straight points by Archie to even the score 22-22 before Panola hit a three-pointer to pull ahead again at the half.

Panola began to pull away from Blinn in the third quarter as the Fillies held a 43-34 lead. However, the Buccaneers finished the quarter strong with a 6-0 run led by Carter for Blinn to trail 48-42 heading into the final quarter.

Panola took off with a 9-4 run to begin the final quarter for a 57-46 lead with four minutes remaining. Carter, who led the Buccaneers in the quarter with six points sunk two free throws with 2:56 left to put Blinn seven points behind Panola. However, Panola ended the quarter on a 6-2 run to take the victory.

With the loss, the Buccaneers fall to 10-14 overall and 3-11 in Region XIV conference play

The Buccaneers will host San Jacinto College-North on Saturday, Feb. 10 in the Kruse Center at 2 p.m. The men’s basketball game between Blinn and San Jacinto College-Central will follow at 4 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

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