BLINN BEATS #12 TRINITY VALLEY TO MOVE INTO FIRST PLACE TIE

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

Not interested in another close loss to No. 12 Trinity Valley Community College, the Blinn College women's basketball team made sure there was nothing close about Saturday's outcome.

The Buccaneers went on a game-changing run in the second quarter that kickstarted a big second half, and Blinn rolled to an 80-66 Region XIV victory over the Cardinals at the Kruse Center in Brenham, Texas.

The Bucs improved to 20-5 on the year (7-2 region) and moved into a tie with Trinity Valley for first place in the region standings. Blinn also exacted some revenge against the Cardinals after falling to TVCC 58-52 on the road on Jan. 18.

"I can't express how proud I am of this team for beating the 12th-ranked team in the nation," Bucs head coach Jeff Jenkins said. "Trinity Valley is considered one of the best women's basketball programs in the history of NJCAA, so for us to play this well both offensively and defensively is very satisfying."

Blinn also reached the 20-win mark for the fourth consecutive season. 

"Every year, a good goal for a basketball team is to win 20 games," added Jenkins. "For us to win game 20 against the first-place team in our region makes it even more special."

The first period of Saturday's rematch ended with the Cardinals on top 16-15, but the Bucs outscored the visitors 19-13 in the second to take the lead permanently.

Blinn's winning rally unfurled in exciting fashion, as the hosts faced a 29-25 hole with 1:05 to go in the first half.

Sophomore guard Jonesha Neal sent the Bucs on their way when she buried a 3-pointer from the corner. Following a Cardinals turnover, Blinn moved down the floor and regained the lead for good when freshman forward Antronea Jackson buried a 3 of her own. 

Bucs sophomore forward DJ Kincade then came away with a steal during TVCC's next possession, moved downcourt quickly, and with less than 1 second remaining fired off a 3 from well behind the arc that banked off the backboard and in as the buzzer sounded. 

Blinn went into halftime leading 34-29.

The Bucs' momentum never ceased as freshman guard Jasey Campbell scored on back-to-back layups to open the second half. After a Kincade layup, Campbell hit a corner trey to give Blinn a 43-31 advantage, and Blinn never looked back.

The Bucs led 59-46 at the end of the third period.

Sophomore forward Tocarra Johnson paced Blinn with 17 points, followed by 16 for Neal and 10 apiece for Campbell and Kincade. Sophomore guard Ja'Nya Thomas chipped in eight.

Blinn's season resumes with a region visit to Kilgore College at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Kilgore, Texas.