BUC MEN/WOMEN FALL SATURDAY

No. 23 Blinn falls to Navarro in overtime, 91-85

Buccaneers unable to keep up with No. 13 Tyler in fourth quarter in loss, 69-59

MEN

Buccaneers scored the first 17 points of the game but Navarro crawled back into game

BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College men’s basketball learned that it is not about how you start a game but how you finish as the Buccaneers started fast but Navarro College was able to force overtime and nab the 91-85 victory in overtime Saturday evening inside the P.E. Building.

“We came out in the second half and I thought we played great but there were a couple of plays in the last minute of regulation that we didn’t execute,” said Blinn head coach Scott Schumacher.

The Buccaneers scored the first 17 points of the game but Navarro recovered to lower the Blinn overall record to 13-3 and 4-3 in Region XIV.

Morris Dunnigan had a big second half, scoring 22 of his 29 points in that half to lead the Buccaneers. John Dewey scored 10 of Blinn’s 11 points in overtime to finish with 21 points. Corey Henderson added 13 points and Victor Dukes chipped in 11.

Everything went right for Blinn to open the game as the Buccaneers started by scoring the first 17 points of the game. Navarro stormed back after the slow start and went on a 23-4 run to take a 23-21 lead for the first time in the game.

Henderson was hitting from the outside and scored 11 points in the half but it was Navarro leading 38-32 at the break.

Blinn chipped away at the lead in the second half and knotted the game at 57-57 with 9:36 left. From there, the Buccaneers went on a 9-2 run capped by a 3-pointer from Dunnigan for a 66-59 lead with seven minutes left.

Turnovers and missed opportunities hurt Blinn down the stretch as Navarro tied the game at 74-74 with 18.7 seconds left and the Buccaneers were unable to score in their final possession of regulation.

Navarro scored the first five points of overtime and proved to be tough to stop in the extra period. Dewey was the only Blinn player going offensively with 10 points as Navarro was able to hold on for the six-point victory.

Blinn will be back at home Wednesday, Jan. 13 against Lee College at 7:30 p.m.

WOMEN

Blinn made just one of six free throws in final quarter

TYLER, Texas – Blinn College women’s basketball put in great effort for three quarters on the road but it was the fourth that hurt as Tyler Junior College was able to pull away for a 69-59 victory Saturday afternoon in Tyler.

“We played well on the road and our effort was good,” said Blinn head coach Jeff Jenkins. “Tyler just made plays in the fourth quarter.”

Missing free throws down the stretch hurt the Buccaneers as Blinn’s overall record now slips to 11-6 with the loss and 3-4 in Region XIV play.

Jeliah Preston and Penina Faumaui paced Blinn with 13 points apiece while Ebony Parker and Ekiya Gray each scored 12 points in the loss.

The game was very even in the opening half as Tyler and Blinn each scored 20 points in the first quarter and then Tyler was able to take a slim 34-33 lead at the break.

The Buccaneers recovered in the third quarter to level up the game at 47-47 heading into the fourth quarter.

Free throws made all the difference in the fourth as Blinn only made one of six while Tyler made all 12 of its foul shots. Tyler was able to outscore Blinn 22-12 in the final 10 minutes to come away with the victory.

Blinn will be back home Wednesday, Jan. 13 against Panola College at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Story & photos courtesy Jake Gordon, Blinn Information)