BLINN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DROPS PANOLA IN OT
Blinn comes through in the clutch to top Panola in overtime, 96-88
Buccaneers overcomes allowing Panola to hit 16 3-point shots
(Photo: Jake Godon, Blinn College)
BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College women’s basketball nearly succumbed to the long-range shooting of Panola College but the Buccaneers were able to force overtime and come away with a 96-88 overtime victory Wednesday night inside the P.E. Building.
Blinn hit the big shots when it needed them and was able to improve its overall record to 12-6 and 4-4 in Region XIV play.
The Buccaneers trailed by two points on two separate occasions in the final 22.8 seconds of regulation. Jasline Chandler tied the game up once with a jumper and then Penina Faumui hit a jump shot with five seconds left that forced overtime. Faumui also scored five early points in the overtime period to set the tone early in the victory.
Ebony Parker led the way for Blinn with 22 points while Jeliah Preston chipped in with 19. Faumui scored 17 total points in the game while Ekiya Gray dealt with foul trouble but still scored 13 points in the win.
Blinn started the game fast by jumping out to a 9-2 lead in the opening minutes as Parker was able to score seven points in the period to give Blinn a 21-15 lead after one. The Buccaneers started the second quarter hot by coming out on a 10-3 run to grab a 31-18 lead with 5:28 left in the half.
(Jake Gordon)
Gray was a big part of the Blinn success in the second quarter with six points as Panola was able to cut into the lead a little bit as the Buccaneers led 36-29 at the break.
Preston was hitting her shots in the third quarter as she scored 10 points as Blinn was able to build up its lead slightly to 58-49 heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth is where Panola started hitting just about every shot from behind the 3-point line. With seven 3-pointers in the quarter, Panola was able to grab a 76-74 lead with 22.8 seconds remaining.
That is when Chandler and Faumui each hit clutch shots to tie the game each time and force overtime, tied at 78-78.
Blinn scored the first seven points of overtime thanks to five from Faumui and never looked back as the Buccaneers were able to control the momentum and grab the eight-point victory.
Blinn will hit the road Saturday, Jan. 16 to face Jacksonville College at 2 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 32 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.