BUCS USE BIG SECOND HALF TO BEAT LEE COLLEGE 80-69

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

The Blinn College men's basketball team used a strong second half to power past Lee College 80-69 in Region XIV action Wednesday at the Kruse Center in Brenham, Texas.

The Buccaneers put together back-to-back region wins for the first time this season and improved to 9-9 overall with a 5-5 region record in the process.

"We have a tremendous amount of respect for Lee and coach Nicholas Wade does a great job with his program," Blinn head coach Scott Schumacher said. "Lee came into the game leading us in the region standings, so it was important for us to get this game to climb back into contention. Our guys have been playing really good basketball and they're starting to figure things out."

An exciting first half featured six lead changes as the two teams went blow for blow for 20 minutes. Neither squad led by more than seven points in the opening half, with Blinn doing the honors when freshman guard Dashawn Ceaser made it 28-21 with a layup.

Bucs freshman guard Jerry Peoples drove through an open lane for a layup near the end of the first half to make it 39-all.

After the break, the Navigators took an early 41-39 edge, but sophomore forward Anthony Isaac scored on a layup, sophomore forward London Maiden added a bucket, Isaac sank a free throw, and sophomore guard Reese Miller hit a layup of his own to complete a 7-0 run and put Blinn ahead for good.

"Coach Schumacher emphasized that we needed to get back on defense quickly to stop Lee's transition offense, and once we started executing that game plan it allowed us to build a lead," Isaac said. 

The Bucs also found success in the paint, where they made numerous layups and floaters while drawing contact.

"We have some tough players on this team and we aren't afraid to battle down low and make plays," Isaac added.

Lee cut Blinn's lead to 74-69 in the final minute of play, but the Bucs answered with six straight points to close it out.

Isaac paced Blinn with 23 points and 16 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. Miller tallied 16 points and seven assists, freshman guard Jakeel Registe had 12 points, and Maiden added 11. 

Isaac and Peoples had four assists apiece as Blinn out-dished the Navigators 27-17. Nine different players scored for the Bucs.

"When we move the ball well and get everyone looks, we play better as a team," Peoples said. "I was really happy to see the way we got everyone involved tonight."

Blinn's season continues with a region home tilt against Tyler Junior College at 4 p.m. on Saturday. It is part of a doubleheader with the Buccaneer Women playing Panola at 2pm.

KWHI will broadcast both games live beginning with the pregame at 1:45pm.