BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College men’s basketball was in position to take the lead away from Bossier Parish Community College in the final minute but was unable to get a couple key stops in a 96-92 loss Wednesday night inside the P.E. Building.
With the loss, the Buccaneers fall to 1-2 in Region XIV play and 7-3 overall.
Blinn was led by LaKendric Hyson with 17 points while Markquis Houston and Kobe Wrice both stepped up to score 16 points each. James Harrison finished with 14, Antione Lister scored 13 and Juwan Green finished with 10 points in the loss.
Both teams started out pretty equal as Blinn was able to grab a 13-11 lead after a basket by Harrison with 15:05 left in the first half. Bossier Parish did grab some momentum in the middle of the first and shot out to a 32-20 lead with 9:18 left.
With Bossier Parish holding on to a 36-26 lead, Blinn was able to rattle off a 15-0 run thanks to eight points from Wrice. After the 15-0 run, Blinn took a 41-36 lead with 1:08 left. The Buccaneers maintained a five-point lead at the half, leading 43-38 at the break. Wrice scored 10 in the first half while Hyson added eight.
Blinn was able to maintain its lead for the first four minutes of the half after Lister scored off on an offensive rebound and hit the ensuing free throw to give the Buccaneers a 50-43 lead. Bossier Parish did charge back and take a 74-63 lead with 8:16 left.
Bossier Parish led 85-76 with 3:09 left and Blinn made its last charge at the lead. The Buccaneers cut into the lead and got within 90-89 after a 3 from Lister with 46 seconds left. Unfortunately, Bossier Parish made three consecutive baskets to close out Blinn and take an eventual four-point victory. Houston and Harrrison each scored 10 in the second half in the loss.
Blinn will look to bounce back with a home game against Victoria College on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 34 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.