“COMEBACK KIDS” BLINN MEN’S BASKETBALL RALLIES FOR ANOTHER CONFERENCE WIN
Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information
The Blinn College men’s basketball team faced a situation in Wednesday's game that was as familiar as the outcome.
Trailing Angelina College by double digits in the second half, the Buccaneers rallied in the final 12-plus minutes of play to earn a 67-64 Region 14 victory over the Roadrunners in Lufkin, Texas.
Blinn (17-7 overall, 11-5 Region 14) — winners of six in a row — won its third consecutive game in which it trailed by double digits in the second half. The Bucs also picked up their 10th win in their last 11 contests, their best stretch since also going 10-1 between Jan. 27-March 6, 2024.
Additionally, Blinn defeated the Roadrunners 62-59 in overtime at home on Jan. 14 and used Wednesday’s win to complete the two-game, regular-season sweep.
“I just think our guys believe in themselves and have tremendous confidence in themselves and each other,” Bucs head coach Scott Schumacher said. “Every time we step on the court it’s a learning experience for our players; they are still learning, working at it, and getting better. As a coach, I’m just enjoying every second of this.”
A competitive first half saw Angelina take a slim 27-26 lead into halftime before opening the second half on a 12-2 run.
A 3-pointer gave the hosts a 42-30 advantage with just more than 12 minutes remaining.
“Angelina got out to a good lead on us after halftime, but we fought, scratched, and clawed our way back into it,” Schumacher said.
The Bucs used a 27-15 move to tie the game with 5:02 left. Freshman guard Connor Sprattley stole the ball away and dished it to wide-open sophomore guard Dashawn Ceaser for a 3-pointer to make it 57-all.
Seconds later, freshman guard Brandon Hatcher found Ceaser open once again and Ceaser drained another 3 for the lead.
Angelina would tie things up moments later and take its final lead of the game at 62-60. Freshman guard Ian Sedah then pulled the Bucs even once again with a pair of free throws.
Freshman guard Desmeon Jones was then fouled and stepped to the line for two more charity buckets as Blinn took another brief lead.
Following one final tie, freshman guard Anthony Williams rebounded a Roadrunners miss and was fouled. He made one free throw to put Blinn in front for good.
When Angelina’s potential go-ahead bucket missed its mark, Sedah pulled down the rebound and was fouled with seven seconds remaining. He hit both free throws to cap the scoring.
On the other end, the Roadrunners banged a 3 off the rim as time expired.
“Every game and every win in this league is a big one,” Schumacher said. “I can’t say enough about our guys tonight.”
Sedah finished with 16 points and eight rebounds – both team highs. Jones added 13 points, six steals and four assists, Caesar had 11 points, and Sprattley finished with 10 points.
The Bucs get back to work when they visit No. 12 Kilgore College for a region tilt at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Kilgore, Texas.