BLINN MEN’S BASKETBALL GETS A ROAD WIN OVER LEE COLLEGE
Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information
Desmeon Jones stepped to the free throw line with a chance to win the game for the Blinn College men’s basketball team.
Meanwhile, Buccaneers head coach Scott Schumacher had just one thought.
“I just knew Desmeon was going to nail those free throws,” Schumacher said. “I never had a doubt.”
Schumacher was correct as Jones buried both of his shots from the line with 1 second remaining to send Blinn to a 72-70 Region 14 road win over Lee College on Wednesday in Baytown, Texas.
Jones also stole Lee’s halfcourt inbounds pass during the final sequence of the game to seal the win.
“We just made enough plays to win tonight, and Desmeon was huge for us at the end,” Schumacher added. “To beat a very good team like Lee on the road is huge for us and I can’t give our guys enough credit.”
The Bucs have won four consecutive games – all region matchups.
Blinn (11-6, 5-4 region) rallied out of a 40-34 halftime deficit before taking the lead late.
Jones provided a critical 3-pointer to give the Bucs a 68-65 edge with 2:30 remaining and freshman guard Connor Sprattley added a layup before the Navigators rallied for a tie with 14 seconds to go.
Following a timeout, Blinn moved the ball down the court, and with the ball in his hands, Jones attempted a jumper just before the buzzer. He was fouled, sent to the line, and virtually put the game away.
“In those final seconds, I had a play drawn up hoping it would work, and we did something else and it worked,” Schumacher said with a laugh. “That was all Desmeon making a play when we needed one.”
Sprattley led the Bucs with 18 points, sophomore guard Dashawn Ceaser added 17 with five assists and five steals, and Jones tallied 14 points with six steals and four assists.
Blinn’s season resumes with a region road bout against Tyler Junior College. The matchup was originally slated for Saturday, but due to inclement weather, the teams will face off at 4 p.m. on Friday in Tyler, Texas.