#24 BUCCANEER WOMEN TOP PANOLA, 71-63

BRENHAM, Texas — The No. 24 Blinn College women’s basketball team topped Panola College, 71-63, in the Kruse Center Monday afternoon.

With the win, the Buccaneers improved their overall record to 12-5 and conference record to 8-3.

“It was a great win against a team that came in here 9-2 in our league and has beat Trinity Valley and Tyler,” head coach Jeff Jenkins said. “They have eight Division I transfers, they are very good, very well coached, and I thought our kids competed and made plays when it mattered. We made defensive and offensive plays all day, and I think this is one of the best games we have played all year, so I am proud.”

Hailey Atwood scored a team-high 25 points, while Jessica Soders scored a season-high 14. In addition, Deja Adrian tallied nine points, while Chynell Mitchell racked up eight in the win.

“We were going bucket to bucket, and had to get some defensive stops and rebounds to close out the game,” Soders said. “We hit some free throws at the end that sealed the game. Of course there is going to be adversity, but we have good communication, motivate each other, and move on from the bad plays and focus on the next ones.”

Atwood and Adrian sparked the offense for Blinn in the first quarter by combining for the first 12 points for the Buccaneers to lead 12-10. Panola evened the score at the 1:30 mark, but Soders shot a 3-pointer and a layup to put the Buccaneers back on top, 17-12, to conclude the quarter.

Eddings’ 3-pointer kicked things off in the second quarter, and Mitchell led Blinn on a nine-point run with four to lead, 29-14. Panola answered back with a 9-0 run. However, Atwood scored the final two points of the quarter to keep Blinn ahead, 31-23, at halftime.

Panola scored the first eight points of the third quarter to even the score 31-31 with 9:01 showing on the clock. The score went back and forth, but Soders hit two crucial 3-pointers for Blinn to lead 34-33 at the 7:55 mark and 40-37 at the 3:30 mark. After Panola evened the score 40-40, Briauna Johnson sunk a shot from downtown to give Blinn a 43-40 lead. The Buccaneers held onto it until Panola hit a 3-pointer to conclude the third quarter on top, 48-47.

The Buccaneers went on a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter led by Johnson’s 3-pointer to take back a 59-52 lead for good with 5:28 remaining. Panola scored five straight points to trail 68-61, but Atwood and Adrian combined for the next three points for Blinn to lead 71-61. Panola scored the final two points of the game before the Buccaneers won 71-63.

Next, the Buccaneers will host Jacksonville College on Wednesday, March 24, at 5:30 p.m. to open a doubleheader in the Kruse Center. The Blinn men’s basketball game will follow against No. 12 Trinity Valley Community College at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(COURTESY: Tara Dreyer, Blinn Information)