JACKSONVILLE, Texas – Blinn College women’s basketball has been performing well in tight games recently and Ekiya Gray was able to keep that going with a last-second basket to give the Buccaneers a 78-76 victory over Jacksonville College Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville.
“This game was kind of similar to the Kilgore and Panola games,” said Blinn coach Jeff Jenkins. “We have been making plays down the stretch and that helps us because there haven’t been any easy games in conference.”
The late basket helps Blinn improve its record to 13-6 overall and 5-4 in Region XIV play.
Gray hit the last-second shot but it was Ebony Parker pacing the Buccaneers with 29 points coming off of nine 3-pointers. Gray and Jeliah Preston did finish with 14 points apiece while Penina Faumui scored eight points in the win.
Blinn came out on the road and played well and took a 23-15 lead after the first quarter. That lead shrunk in the second quarter as Jacksonville fought back to get within 38-34 of the Buccaneers at the half.
Blinn played a little better in the third quarter and took a 57-50 lead heading into the fourth quarter. That lead disappeared down the stretch as Jacksonville tied the game up at 76-76 with seven seconds left.
That is when Gray took the ball and dribbled into the paint and made the game-winning shot for the Buccaneers.
Blinn will be on the road again Wednesday, Jan. 20 against Panola College at 5:30 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 32 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
