BLINN MEN’S BASKETBALL OPENS WITH LOSS TO FRANK PHILLIPS COLLEGE

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

A fast start in its season opener wasn't enough to deliver the Blinn College men's basketball team a victory over Frank Phillips College on Monday.

The Plainsmen erased a double-digit Buccaneers lead with a big rally at the end of the first half and used that momentum to secure a 78-59 victory at the Elite 8 Shootout in Edmond, Okla.

"We played really well early, but we got a big lead and then hit a cold spell and couldn't score," Blinn head coach Scott Schumacher said. "We executed our offense and got open shots, but we couldn't hit a basket. When you play a team the quality of Frank Phillips, you have to score when you have the chance and we didn't do enough of that tonight."

After the Bucs raced out to a 24-12 lead midway through the opening half of play, the Plainsmen went on a 29-7 rally to take a 41-31 lead into the break.

A 12-0 burst to open the second gave Frank Phillips a commanding lead.
On the night, sophomore guard Reese Miller was the lone Buccaneer to crack double digits as he finished with 17 points. Freshman forward Ziyade Ndancky tallied eight points, and sophomore forward had 10 rebounds.
The Bucs close out the Elite 8 Shootout with a matchup against No. 14 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at 2 p.m. today (Tuesday).