CARTHAGE, Texas- Despite facing off against the nationally-ranked Panola on its court to open the conference season, Blinn College men’s basketball was able to perform under pressure and sink a three-pointer at the final second to take a 73-71 victory.
“That was an unbelievable conference game and a great win for our program on the road,” said Scott Schumacher, Blinn head coach. “Our team showed a lot of resiliency, tenacity, and hung together; at the end we took the final shot and we were lucky enough to win the game.”
Panola held a 71-70 lead with seconds remaining, however following a missed free throw shot, the Buccaneers had one last chance. Blinn grabbed the rebound for Anthony Rice to hand the ball off to Tyrus Grayson, who had made two shots in the game. With a second left, Grayson sailed the ball into the basket from behind the three-point-line for the Buccaneers to open the Region XIV conference season with a win.
Following the win, the Buccaneers overall record increases to 7-1.
Tony Lewis led the Blinn offense with 16 points, while Markques Houston followed with 13 and Antione Lister with 11. Rice and Grayson each chipped in seven points.
The Buccaneers built an early lead over Panola to enter the second half on top 39-29. Panola slowly chipped away at Blinn and with five minutes remaining grabbed the lead and held onto it until the final second.
Blinn looks to remain undefeated in conference play against Paris Junior College on Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. in the Kruse Center.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987.