BUCS OVERCOME 18-0 DEFICIT TO BEAT KILGORE

Blinn recovers from extremely slow start to beat Kilgore, 73-69

Kilgore scores first 18 points of the game but Buccaneers steal away victory in the fourth

BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College women’s basketball easily had its worst start of the season by allowing Kilgore College to score the first 18 points of the game but the Buccaneers played with enough heart to come from behind for a 73-69 victory Wednesday night inside the P.E. Building.

Blinn trailed 23-3 after the first quarter but was able to chip away in the following three quarters to steal a victory away and improve to 11-5 overall and 3-3 in Region XIV play.

“I told them that they deserve to win this game because they are really good kids and they work hard in practice,” said Blinn head coach Jeff Jenkins. “I was very proud of them not quitting.”

Denisha Ford has picked up her scoring in recent games and hit some big shots in the comeback victory and ended the night with 12 points for Blinn.

“We knew we had to get it together and pull it out,” Ford said after the game. “It shows that we have heart to come back from being down.”

Ekiya Gray led the Buccaneers with 16 points and Jeliah Preston totaled 15 as both players were huge in the fourth quarter. Bryanna Taylor also chipped in with 10 points in the win.

The first quarter was a forgettable one for Blinn as the Buccaneers only hit one shot from the field while Kilgore took advantage and built up a 23-3 after the first. Kilgore scored the first 18 points of the game.

Chances for a comeback seemed bleak but Blinn showed fight in the second quarter by scoring the first six points. Taylor scored five points in the quarter as Blinn was able to outscore Kilgore 20-13 to get within 36-23 at the half.

The momentum continued for the Buccaneers as Blinn used an 11-0 run capped by consecutive 3-pointers by Ford and Ebony Parker to cut Kilgore’s 17-point lead down to 47-41 with 2:53 remaining in the third.

Blinn outscored Kilgore 24-15 to get within 51-47 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Buccaneers didn’t see the lead until a basket in the post by Penina Faumui gave Blinn a 58-57 lead with 4:50 left in the game. Gray and Preston each hit a pair of big buckets down the stretch and Jasline Chandler hit two free throws to seal the come from behind victory.

Blinn will hit the road Saturday, Jan. 9 to face No. 13 Tyler Junior College at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Story and photos courtesy: Jake Gordon, Blinn Information)