BUCCANEER WOMEN DEFEAT PARIS TO ADVANCE AT REGION HOOP TOURNEY

JACKSONVILLE, Texas — Hailey Atwood’s game-high 15 points helped lead the No. 23 Blinn College women’s basketball team to a 54-44 win over Paris Junior College in the Region XIV quarterfinals Wednesday night.

With the win, the Buccaneers improve their overall record to 18-5 and advance to the semifinals. Next, Blinn will compete against No. 11 Tyler Junior College on Friday, April 9, at 3 p.m.

“I am proud of our kids’ fight in a grind it out kind of game,” head coach Jeff Jenkins said. “It has been a long time since we played a team that slowed it down. We made just enough plays tonight, and we survived and advanced.”

Jessica Soders and Briauna Johnson joined Atwood in scoring double figures with 11 and 10, respectively. Telisha Brown tallied eight points and Keaundra Eddings scored six.

Deja Adrian led the Buccaneers with 10 rebounds and four assists, while Chynell Mitchell recorded seven rebounds and Atwood totaled six.

Blinn grabbed an early 14-10 lead in the first quarter and extended it to 28-21 at the break. Paris outscored the Buccaneers by two points in the third quarter, but Blinn maintained a 36-31 lead. The Buccaneers scored 18 points, while holding Pairs to 13, in the final quarter for the 10-point win.

The Buccaneer men will be back in action Thursday night when they face Kilgore in round two of the men's tournament at 8:00 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(COURTESY: Tara Dreyer, Blinn Information)