BUC HOOP TEAMS COME UP WINNERS SATURDAY

Blinn women’s basketball downs Paris, 79-69

Hailey Atwood scores team-high 15 points

BRENHAM, Texas — The Blinn College women’s basketball team (17-4, 6-3) downed Paris Junior College, 79-69, on Saturday afternoon in the Kruse Center.

“This team is so competitive and wants to be successful, but we aren’t playing our best basketball yet,” said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. “Once we stop turning the ball over then we will be even better. We are capable of playing a lot better than what we have been.”

Hailey Atwood scored a team-high 15 points, while Kristine Ezimako and Gabriela Bosquez each scored 14 points.

“This game came down to hustle and skill, and we work hard every day to be able to stay in games like these,” Ezimako said. “We are prepared for each game and are very competitive. I love how we challenge ourselves and each other to get better every single day.”

Briauna Johnson, Mia Cherry and Atwood each hit 3-pointers for the Buccaneers to jump out to a 12-10 lead in the first quarter. From there, the Buccaneers went on a 14-0 run starting with Alanna Spencer making back-to-back shots from downtown. Ezimako finished off the run with two layups for Blinn to lead 26-10. Bosquez made the final two points of the quarter at the free-throw line for Blinn to lead 30-16.

In the second quarter, Keaundra Eddings and Bosquez combined for six points to keep Blinn ahead 36-23. Then, Atwood led Blinn on an 8-0 run with six points for the Buccaneers to lead 44-25. Paris scored the final four points of the quarter, but continued to trail 44-29 at the half.

The Lady Dragons took off in the third quarter to come within seven points (47-40) of Blinn. The Buccaneers came back to finish the quarter on an 8-0 run led by Bosquez with four points to enter the final quarter ahead 61-47.

In the last quarter, Bosquez and Spencer each came up with 3-pointers to keep Blinn on top 75-63. Johnson finished the game going 4-for-4 at the free-throw line for the Buccaneers to claim the 10-point win.

Next, the Buccaneers will host Panola College on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m.

 Blinn men defeat Coastal Bend, 81-52

Azariah Seay scores a season-high 27 points

BEEVILLE, Texas — The Blinn College men’s basketball team (14-7, 4-6) defeated Coastal Bend College, 81-52, on Saturday.

“This was a very hard-fought game where our guys were very methodical,” said Scott Schumacher, Blinn head coach. “We executed on offense and played a really good game.”

Azariah Seay scored a season-high 27 points, Tristan Ikpe followed with 17, Pedro Castro contributed 11, and Markus Vallied scored 10.

The Buccaneers built a 20-point lead over the Cougars to lead 41-21 at the break. Blinn continued to dominate offensively with 40 points in the second half to earn a 29-point victory.

Next, the Buccaneers will return home to the Kruse Center to face off against Victoria College on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(COURTESY: Tara Dryer, Blinn Information)