BLINN PICKS UP ROAD WIN OVER KILGORE HEADING INTO BREAK

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

The Blinn College men's basketball team gifted itself an early Christmas present Saturday as the Buccaneers rallied past Kilgore College for a much-needed 74-57 Region XIV victory in Kilgore, Texas.

Desperate to avoid a 1-3 start to region play, Blinn put together a late first-half rally to take a 10-point lead into halftime and kept that momentum going after the intermission to upend the always-tough Rangers.

The Bucs improved to 6-6 overall and 2-2 in the region.

"I thought for the entire game our guys were very focused, communicated with each other, and did exactly what we asked them to do," Blinn head coach Scott Schumacher said. "Kilgore is a good team year after year with great players and great coaches, so I was impressed with how our players stepped up and guarded well, moved the ball around, and played hard. As a coach, seeing your team go out and play as well as we did tonight makes you feel really good."

The Bucs trailed 34-33 with 3:08 remaining before sophomore forward Anthony Isaac tied the game with a free throw. Blinn then took control permanently when freshman guard Jerry Peoples collected a defensive rebound and found fellow freshman guard Dashawn Ceaser streaking down court in transition. Ceaser battled through contact to bury a circus shot off the backboard to put the Bucs ahead by two.

Sophomore guard Reese Miller then put Blinn on his back as he drilled a pair of open 3-pointers to go with a nifty mid-range floater to send his team into the break leading 44-34.

"Just an unbelievable effort," Schumacher reiterated.

For the game, sophomore forward London Maider shined with 18 points and 13 rebounds to register a double-double. Miller and Ceaser tacked on 16 points apiece and freshman guard Jakeel Registe chipped in 14. Isaac had 13 rebounds and seven assists.

A tough start to 2025 awaits Blinn as the Bucs travel to fourth-ranked Panola College for a region tilt at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, in Carthage, Texas.