SEASON ENDS FOR BLINN MEN WITH LOSS TO KILGORE AT REGIONALS

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

The season came to an end for the Blinn College men’s basketball team Thursday following a 65-53 loss to Kilgore College in the quarterfinal round of the Region XIV Tournament in Tyler, Texas.

The Buccaneers finished the year 23-8 overall.

Fourth-seeded Blinn and fifth-seeded Kilgore faced off just once during the regular season, with the Bucs claiming an impressive 88-56 road win. Thursday’s postseason bout was far more competitive, with the two teams remaining neck-and-neck through the first half.

Blinn led 30-29 at the break.

“Kilgore did a really good job of guarding us man-to-man,” Bucs head coach Scott Schumacher said. “They were very aggressive with us and they did a good job.”

The Bucs were hampered by a 9-of-18 performance at the free-throw line and 14 turnovers, numbers which helped the Rangers win the second half 36-23.

Offensively, Blinn was led by freshman wing Anthony Isaac’s 19 points. He added six rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore guard Jadin Johnson had 10 points.

“We had a tremendous year and it’s very disappointing to see it end this way,” Schumacher added. “I feel bad for my guys who won’t get to keep playing this season, and I feel equally bad that I don’t get to keep coaching them.”