BRENHAM, Texas – With the help of a deep lineup, Blinn College women’s basketball rolled to a 101-71 victory over Panola College Jan. 21 in Brenham.
“Our depth helped us tonight,” said Blinn head coach Jeff Jenkins. “I’ve got six really good guards and our starting guards got into foul trouble early and our best group of guards tonight was our backup guards.”
The Buccaneers used a balanced scoring attack and an 18-1 run in the second half to pull away from visiting Panola. Blinn had six players in double figures scoring as Nancy Warioba led the way with 17 points, mostly in the paint.
“It was a challenge in the paint to find someone that is really my height,” Warioba said after the game. “It helps to get my game going too when I have a challenge in the post.”
Alexus Freeman came on in the second half to help fuel the run with 10 points in the latter period and finished with 14 points. Katelynn Johnson, Courtney Dawson and Ashley Cherry each had 13 points while Shakera Barnes chipped in 11 points.
After a shaky start, Blinn took the lead midway through the first half and controlled the momentum from then on. Using a 12-2 run fueled by four points coming from Dawson, Blinn was able to grab a 34-25 lead. Dawson was able to put the ball in the basket in the opening half with nine points while Warioba added seven as the Buccaneers held a 39-32 lead at the half.
Blinn held a lead throughout the second half but couldn’t create much distance until the midway point of the second half. The reserves came in for the Buccaneers and rolled off an 18-1 run that took a nine-point lead and turned it into a commanding 85-59 lead with 6:41 left.
Freeman came off the bench and scored 10 points in the final half and helped to spark the big lead. Warioba also had 10 points in the second and Blinn cruised to the 30-point victory that improves its conference record to 7-3 and 14-6 overall.
Blinn will be on the road when it travels to face Bossier Parish Community College on Jan. 24 at 4 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 30 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
