BUC WOMEN/MEN DROP HOOP HEARTBREAKERS

No. 24 Blinn Women fall to No. 2 Trinity Valley on the road,76-72

Buccaneers outscore Lady Cards 21-7 in final quarter

ATHENS, Texas — The No. 24 Blinn College women’s basketball team (19-5, 8-4) came back from an 18-point, third-quarter deficit to trail by two points, but No. 2 Trinity Valley Community College went 4-for-4 at the free throw line in the final minute for the 76-72 win on Saturday afternoon.

“We played very hard against the second-ranked team in the nation on their home floor,” said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. “I can’t say enough about the competitiveness and fight this team showed. We cut the lead down to two points twice in the last minute.”

Mia Cherry led Blinn with 16 points, Hailey Atwood scored 11, Tanea Sims recorded 10 to match her season high, and Alanna Spencer had nine.

The Lady Cards and Buccaneers played a close first half as Trinity Valley held a 17-15 lead in the first quarter and Blinn got the Lady Cards’ lead down to 35-34 at the half.

Trinity Valley broke away with 34 points in the third quarter to pull ahead 69-51. Blinn rallied to outscore the Lady Cards 21-7 in the final quarter, but fell just short.

Next, the Buccaneers will return home to the Kruse Center to compete against Coastal Bend College on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 5:30 p.m.

Jacksonville slips past Blinn Men, 91-90

Tristan Ikpe records team-high 23 points

JACKSONVILLE, Texas — The Blinn College men’s basketball team (16-9, 6-8) fell to Jacksonville College, 91-90, on Saturday night.

“It was a really good basketball game and it came down to them having the ball at the free throw line with it tied 90-90 for the final point,” said Scott Schumacher, Blinn head coach.

Tristan Ikpe led the offense with 23 points, Pedro Castro followed with 18, while Azariah Seay scored 13 and AJ Rainey had 10.

Blinn rolled through the first half to hold a 55-47 advantage at the break, but Jacksonville was able to rally back for 44 points to take the win. Blinn and Jacksonville were tied 90-90 with 14.8 seconds left when the Jaguars made a free throw that led to the victory.

Next, the Buccaneers will return home to compete against Lee College on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kruse Center.  That game can be heard on KWHI/FM 101.7/kwhi.com.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(COURTESY: Tara Dreyer, Blinn Information)