BUCS SWEEP HOOPS DOUBLE HEADER

Quick start helps No. 25 Blinn Women roll past Jacksonville, 69-49

Blinn Men surge past Jacksonville in overtime, 97-92

WOMEN
Buccaneers led 18-3 after a quarter and never looked back

BRENHAM, Texas – No. 25 Blinn College women’s basketball was impressive offensively and defensively right out of the gate and that allowed the Buccaneers to pulled away for a 69-49 victory over Jacksonville College Saturday afternoon inside the P.E. Building.

Using its stifling defense and a solid offense, Blinn was able to take an 18-3 lead after one and then cruised to victory to improve its overall record to 19-6 overall and 11-4 in Region XIV play.

“We were really good on defense in the first half,” said Blinn head Jeff Jenkins. “We played real athletic and aggressive and that was about as good as we could play in the first half.”

Ebony Parker was a key player in the quick start for the Buccaneers by scoring 21 of her total 23 points in the first half. As Jacksonville attempted to shut down Parker in the second half, her teammates stepped up as Jeliah Preston finished with 15 points.

“It was really nice tonight especially with the start that we had,” Preston said. “We have been dealing with adversity much better lately.”

Penina Faumui scored 12 points and Ekiya Gray totaled 11 points in the victory.

Blinn dominated the first quarter on both sides of the ball. The Buccaneers only allowed three points while Parker scored 10 points to lead Blinn to an 18-3 lead after one quarter.

Jacksonville played a little better offensively in the second quarter but Parker still had more points (21) at the half than Jacksonville did (13). Parker scored 11 in the second and the Buccaneers held a 36-13 lead at the break.

The third was the best quarter for Jacksonville as the Jaguars outscored Blinn 18-13 to cut into the lead slightly. Preston scored five points in the third to keep Blinn ahead 49-31 heading into the fourth quarter.

Starting the fourth on an 11-4 run helped Blinn feel at ease with a 60-35 lead. Gray found space on the floor in the fourth and scored seven points as the Buccaneers coasted to the 20-point victory.

Blinn will have consecutive home games for the first time since early December as the Buccaneers will host Tyler Junior College Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m.

MEN
Buccaneers trailed by 10 with 9:30 left in regulation but fight back

BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College men’s basketball is getting better at dealing with overcoming adversity as the Buccaneers came away with a 97-92 victory over Jacksonville College Saturday evening inside the P.E. Building.

The Buccaneers trailed 67-57 with 9:30 left in regulation but were able to crawl back to force overtime and then get the win that improves their overall record to 18-6 and 8-6 in Region XIV play.

“I thought we hung our heads a little bit when we got down 10 in the second half,” said Blinn head coach Scott Schumacher. “I give my guys credit for fighting back.”

Morris Dunnigan had a huge night offensively as the sophomore showed his knack for leadership and dropped in 34 points in the win.

“With me being the captain I just felt like I needed to step up,” Dunnigan said.

John Dewey scored seven of his 17 points in the overtime period while Corey Henderson and Victor Dukes each scored 10 points.

Neither team could create much separation in the first half. Dunnigan was keeping Blinn in the game in the first 20 minutes by scoring 23 points but it was Jacksonville holding on to a 46-44 lead at the break.

The second half was not turning out how the Buccaneers would have liked as they hit a scoring lull while Jacksonville built up a 67-57 lead with 9:30 left in the game.

Blinn was able to get back in the game with a 10-1 run that was capped by a bucket in the post from Dukes to get within 68-67 with 5:17 left. With the score tied at 77-77 with 1:41 left, Dunnigan gave the Buccaneers a two-point lead with a layup and then extended that lead to 81-78 with two free throws with 42.2 left.

Ike Agusi was able to nail a contested 3-pointer for Jacksonville with 26.6 left in the game that would eventually force overtime.

Dewey came up with the big shot in overtime. With the score tied 87-87 with 1:37 left, Dewey pulled up and nailed a 3-pointer and then Dunnigan followed suit for a 93-87 lead with less than a minute remaining.

Jacksonville got the game within one point but Dewey hit all four of his free throws in the final 8.3 seconds to secure the five-point victory.

Blinn will hit the road Wednesday, Feb. 10 to face Lee College at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

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