BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College women’s basketball was able to recover after trailing at halftime and then hold off a late charge from Jacksonville College to earn a 69-61 victory Jan. 17 in Brenham.
“We didn’t play very well but we were fortunate that we were at home,” said Blinn head coach Jeff Jenkins. “Anytime you can get a win in this region, we’ll take it.”
Chant Lewis was a big part of the success for Blinn as she was impressive all game scoring 14 of her 23 points in the second half to lead the way. Nancy Warioba was a force down low for the Buccaneers with 15 points while Alexus Freeman recorded 10 points in the win that improved the conference record to 6-3 and 13-6 overall.
Blinn was able to get a win while not playing its best game as Jacksonville shot out to a 9-2 lead but the Buccaneers recovered. With a 9-0 run in the middle of the first half, Blinn was able to grab a 20-15 lead with 5:50 left. Lewis was the big source of offense with nine points in the first 20 minutes.
The momentum slightly shifted in Jacksonville’s favor as it secured a 26-24 lead at the break.
The lead went back and forth in the beginning of the second half until Blinn rolled off 12 consecutive points with Freeman scoring four of her 10 second half points during that stretch that gave the Buccaneers a 47-39 lead with 9:29 left in the game.
Jacksonville made an attempt at a comeback in the final minutes as it got within three points at 64-61 with less than a minute to play but the Buccaneers only missed one of their six free throws down the stretch to hold on for the eight-point victory.
This game was the Buccaneers “Here I am Orphan Ministries” fundraiser game, in which Blinn raises money for the Christian non-profit ministry that cares for orphans through prayer, missions, education, advocacy and adoption awareness. The fundraising effort is part of Blinn’s annual Adopt-a-Charity program, in which all Blinn athletic programs dedicate a portion of its gate proceeds towards that year’s charity. For more information on Here I am Orphan Ministries, visit www.orphanministries.com.
Blinn will again be at home Jan. 21 against Panola College for a game at 5:30 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.
