BUC HOOPS SWEEP TWINBILL OVER ANGELINA

No. 24 Buccaneers take down Angelina, 63-58

Mia Cherry scores final five points in Blinn’s win

BRENHAM, Texas — The No. 24 Blinn College women’s basketball team (23-6, 12-5) took down Angelina College on Wednesday night in the Kruse Center on Sophomore Night.

“Angelina set the pace and we never got going offensively, but defensively we played pretty well all night and we found a way to win,” said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. “This is a special group and these sophomores really have changed this program around from last year.”

With the game tied 58-58 in the final 6.2 seconds, sophomore Mia Cherry scored the final points for the Buccaneers to get the win with a 3-pointer and two free throws.

“It was a fun way to win, so I happy for Mia and happy for the team,” Jenkins said.

Kristine Ezimako led the Buccaneers with 19 points, Cherry followed with 16 and Hailey Atwood scored 12.

“During practice we push each other so hard, so when it comes to tough shots and tough games like this we know that we are going to compete and not give up,” Cherry said. “I knew I needed to put the ball in the air and trusted that it was going to go in. This team has become my family, so I am really grateful that I am able to be a part of such a great team.”

After Blinn had led through the first three quarters, Angelina was able to tie the game for the first time at the 7:46 mark and then take a 54-48 lead in the final quarter. Gabriela Bosquez and Cherry made back-to-back 3-pointers to even the score, while Atwood followed with a 2-pointer to put Blinn back on top. Blinn and Angelina went back and forth before Angelina tied the game 58-58. Cherry scored the final five points for the Buccaneers to seal the win.

Earlier in the game, the Buccaneers battled it out to grab a 17-16 lead to open the first quarter. Bosquez started things off with a 3-pointer and Jessica Soders followed with a 2-pointer for Blinn to take a 5-0 lead. Keaundra Eddings led the Buccaneers on a 7-2 with a shot from downtown for Blinn to lead 17-13. Angelina finished the quarter with a 3-pointer.

Cherry and Ezimako each scored 3-pointers for Blinn to open the second half on top 23-18. At the 3:05 mark, Ezimako and Briauna Johnson combined for five straight points for the Buccaneers to stay ahead 34-25. Angelina scored the final four points, but still trailed 34-29 at the half.

Cherry scored the first five points for the Buccaneers in the third quarter for Blinn to lead 39-31. Ezimako led Blinn on a 7-0 run to take a 10-point (46-36) lead, but Angelina scored seven straight points before the quarter was up to trail 46-43 entering the fourth.

Next, the Buccaneers will complete the regular season against Paris Junior College on the road on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 2 p.m.

Buccaneer Men defeat Angelina for 20th win, 92-84

 Tristan Ikpe scores a season-high 37 points

BRENHAM, Texas — Behind Tristan Ikpe’s season-high 37 points, the Blinn College men’s basketball team (20-9, 10-8) claimed its 20th win of the season against Angelina College on Wednesday night in the Kruse Center on Sophomore Night.

“I thought our guys played tremendous and because of the win we were able to secure second-place in the South Division for the Region XIV Tournament,” said Scott Schumacher. “We played phenomenal and our guys were really focused because they knew that Angelina is a really good team. Our sophomores are all first-class people and are going to get to continue playing basketball, while they earn their degree.”

Tristan Ikpe led the Buccaneers with a season-high 37 points to help stop Angelina’s 12-game winning streak. AJ Rainey was next with 16, Markus Vallien scored 11 and Pedro Castro tallied 10.

“We knew it was a big game coming in and wanted to clinch this game in order to get a first-round bye in the regional tournament,” Ikpe said. “It was our last home game in the Kruse Center and we love the fans, so we really wanted to get this win. I love the team chemistry that we have this year and we have all built a friendship and bond that will never be broken.”

Blinn and Angelina went back and forth in the first half until the Buccaneers went on a 8-0 run, led by Ikpe with five points, to lead 19-11 at the 11:41 mark. Blinn extended its lead to 11 points (33-22) when Vallien hit a 3-pointer with less than five minutes left in the half. The Roadrunners closed in on Blinn 34-27, but another 3-pointer by Vallien kept the Buccaneers ahead by 10. Angelina finished the half, outscoring Blinn 8-5, to trail the Buccaneers 42-35 at the break.

Nic Tata, Vallien and Ikpe scored Blinn’s first 14 points in the second half to stay ahead 56-46. The Buccaneers held on to a 10-point lead (68-58) with a 9-2 run with 11:03 left to play. Angelina made a 3-pointer to pull within five points (78-73) of Blinn, but Uriel Velis and Rainey scored the next three points to extend Blinn’s lead. The Roadrunners strung together points to close in on Blinn 87-84 with 1:17 left, but Rainey’s 3-pointer and Ikpe’s two free throws lifted the Buccaneers to the eight-point win.

Next, the Buccaneers will conclude the regular season on the road against Lamar State College-Port Arthur on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 4 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(COURTESY: Tara Dreyer, Blinn Information)