BUCCANEER MEN BEAT COASTAL BEND 82-66
Blinn has now won four in a row, and six of their last seven.
Jan Njock stole a pass near half court, drove to the paint, and sailed to the rim before delivering a crowd-pleasing, two-handed monster dunk.
The electric slam incited a roar from fans in the Kruse Center bleachers and a wave of elation from the Buccaneer bench, a display of energy that continued throughout Blinn’s 82-66 Region XIV win over Coastal Bend College on Wednesday.
“We lost to Coastal Bend the first time we played them and we took it personally,” Njock said. “We wanted to come back with some fire, and for me personally, I wanted to bring that fire myself. Everyone did that today and it was a complete team effort.”
Njock’s exciting play set the tone for a big night for Blinn, which earned its fourth consecutive victory while improving to 15-11 overall and 8-7 in league play.
Also making his presence felt for the Bucs was freshman point guard Maurice Pinnock, who entered the starting lineup Wednesday and made the most of his opportunity with 14 points.
Blinn led 43-27 heading into halftime, but an 8-0 run by the Cougars pulled the visitors within 45-35 early in the second half. Pinnock responded with six straight points to keep Coastal Bend at bay and finished the half with 10 points.
“I got a chance to start and I just took advantage of it and played my game,” Pinnock said. “It’s a big win for us – four in a row – because we’re still trying for the best finish we can get in our conference. We all played together tonight, and it was fun.”
Sophomore wing Connor Raines paced Blinn with 18 points, freshman forward Tyler Washington added 16, and Njock and freshman guard Damian Watson finished with eight apiece.
Coastal Bend (6-17, 4-10 Region XIV) trailed just 17-15 in the first half before Raines drained a long 3-pointer followed by a jump shot to ignite a 14-0 Buccaneer run. Elias Ngoga and Pinnock added to the surge with a layup and two free throws, respectively, before Washington gave Blinn a 31-15 lead with a 3 and a fastbreak layup.
“I think our guys are feeling really good about themselves,” Buccaneers head coach Scott Schumacher said. “Our guys have had great practices. I think we’re better than what our record states, but credit to our players for creating their own energy, playing hard, and wanting to win the game.”
Blinn will look to extend its winning streak when it hosts Lamar State College-Port Arthur at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Kruse Center.
(Story by Joe Alberico, Sports Information Specialist)