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The Buccaneers (19-2 overall, 8-2 Region XIV) led 21-19 early in the second period before freshman guard Telisha Brown ignited a 15-3 run with a 3-pointer from the corner. Fellow freshman guard Jakoriah Long capped the surge with a trey of her own as Blinn seized a 36-22 advantage.
After leading just 17-13 at the end of the first quarter, the Buccaneers took a 39-26 cushion into halftime.
Blinn head coach Jeff Jenkins was pleased with his team’s defense, which held the Dragons (6-14, 2-7) to 14 points or less in all four periods. The Buccaneers led 63-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
“The last few games I’ve felt that our defense and our defensive intensity has been much better,” Jenkins said. “Paris is a good offensive team and all the way through the fourth quarter I thought we defended well.”
Added freshman guard Skylar Barnes: “Every game we’re getting better on defense, so today was a good day. Our offense took a while to get going early, and the defense came in and held things down until we turned it around.”
Blinn struggled from beyond the arc early and Jenkins’ team opted for short jumpers and points inside the paint until his sharpshooters found their groove. The Buccaneers’ outside shooting eventually improved and the hosts finished with 10 3-pointers.
“I really like our offense,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to have off nights from time to time and that’s where defensive efforts like tonight help, but I still have a lot of confidence in our shooters.”
Four Buccaneers finished in double figures, led by Brown and freshman forward Tiffany Tullis, who tallied 14 points apiece. Barnes chipped in 12 points and Long scored 11.
Blinn plays host to No. 24 Panola College in a region tilt at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kruse Center.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
