BUCCANEER MEN DEFEAT VICTORIA 82-73

The Blinn College men's basketball team built an early lead and never looked back on its way to an 82-73 victory over Victoria College in Region XIV play Saturday in Victoria, Texas.

The Buccaneers (14-6 overall, 5-4 Region XIV) trailed just once throughout the entire game — a 4-2 deficit which was quickly erased on a layup from freshman wing Anthony Isaac. Blinn proceeded to reel off a 15-2 run to seize permanent momentum.

"It was a great win on the road for us, and I'm very excited for our players," Bucs head coach Scott Schumacher said. "It was a difficult, up-and-down game offensively, but our guys hung in there and came out on top."

Blinn took a 40-31 lead into halftime before holding off the Pirates after the break.

Isaac was instrumental in the Bucs' success as he posted team bests in points and rebounds with 25 (season-high) and 13, respectively. Isaac's big night marked his fifth consecutive double-double. He has scored 10 or more points in his last nine games.

"Anthony is a freshman, so we took some time working him into starting position to make sure he was ready, and he's just taken off," Schumacher said. "When he signed with Blinn, we knew this was the type of player he had a chance to be."

Ten different Bucs scored in the win. Sophomore forward Jamine Charles had 13 points and eight rebounds, freshman guard Reese Miller sank three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points, and sophomore guard Jadin Johnson added 10.

Next up, a big region showdown awaits Blinn as the Bucs host No. 11 Lee College at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kruse Center in Brenham.

The Navigators currently sit atop the Region XIV South standings, while Blinn is tied for second place. The Bucs' game will begin shortly after the conclusion of the 24th-ranked Blinn women's basketball team's matchup against Western Gulf College at 5:30 p.m.

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information