BUCS TAKE OPENER IN NJCAA WOMEN’S TOURNEY
No. 12 Blinn blows by No. 21 Itawamba in first round of nationals, 59-39
Buccaneers outscore Itawamba 29-15 in the second half to pull away
LUBBOCK, Texas – No. 12 Blinn College women’s basketball shook off a little of the rust from not playing in over a week in the first quarter and after that was able to roll to a 59-39 victory over No. 21 Itawamba Community College in the first round of the NJCAA Division I National Tournament Monday night inside the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock.
“We had nine days off between games and we weren’t that competitive in practice,” said Blinn coach Jeff Jenkins. “We looked rusty to open the game but were able to shake that off.”
With the win in the first round of nationals, the Buccaneers improve to 26-8 overall and earn themselves a match up with No. 5 College of Southern Idaho on Wednesday, March 16 at 3 p.m.
Ekiya Gray was aggressive on offense and on the boards against Itawamba as she scored 17 points and hauled in 11 rebounds to lead Blinn in both statistical categories.
“I felt like we were able to get their posts in foul trouble with our speed,” Gray said. “Itawamba was great competition to open the tournament.
Penina Faumui scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds, one point shy of a double-double. Jeliah Preston also chipped in 13 points for the Buccaneers.
The first quarter was not too pretty for Blinn as the Buccaneers struggled on offense and looked rusty at times. Gray and Abigail Whyte each scored three points in the quarter but Blinn ended the first tied 12-12 with Itawamba.
The second quarter was much better as Blinn was able to go on a run that was fueled by Preston and Ebony Parker each scoring six points. The Buccaneers were able to outscore Itawamba 18-12 to take a 30-24 lead at the break.
Gray helped Blinn maintain its momentum in the third quarter with six points as the Buccaneers opened up a 46-33 lead after three after outscoring Itawamba 16-9. Blinn did not leave Itawamba any chances for a comeback as Faumui scored six points in the final quarter and Blinn pulled away for a 20-point victory.
Shooting woes for Itawamba helped Blinn. Itawamba made just 11 of 28 free throws while Blinn was able to make 10 of 17 attempts from the free throw line.
For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
(Story courtesy, Jake Gordon, Blinn Information
2016 NJCAA WOMEN'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
RIP GRIFFIN CENTER, LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
MONDAY
16-GEORGIA HIGLANDS 72 17-GILLETTE 53
9-MIDLAND 77 24-HIGHLAND 56
15-EASTERN ARIZONA 58 18-N. OKLAHOMA-ENID 55
23-ASA-NEW YORK 87 10-COWLEY CO. 80
13-NE-OKLAHOMA 84 20-LAKE REGION STATE 42
12-BLINN BUCCANEERS 59 21-ITAWAMBA 39
TUESDAY
19-VINCENNES 57 14-NORTHEAST 51
11-N.W. FLORIDA ST. 93 22-HARFORD 77
1-GULF COAST ST. 71 GEORGIA HIGHLANDS 64
8-WALTERS ST. 42 MIDLAND 41
2-SHELTON ST. 90 EASTERN ARIZONA 77
ASA-NEW YORK 93 7-DAYTON ST. 84
WEDNESDAY
1:00, 4-NEW MEXICO vs. NE OKLAHOMA
3:00, 5-SOUTHERN IDAHO vs. BLINN BUCCANEERS
5:00, 3-SALT LAKE vs. NORTHEASYT/VINCENNES WINNER
7:00, 6-TRINITY VALLEY vs. NW FLORIDA ST./HARFORD WINNER
THURSDAY
QUARTERFINALS
1:00, GULF COAST ST. vs. WALTERS ST.
3:00, SHELTON ST. vs. ASA-NEW YORK
5:00, TBD
7:00, TBD
FRIDAY
SEMIFINALS
5:00, 7:00
SATURDAY
3RD PLACE GAME, 4;30
CHAMPIONSHIP, 7:00