BRENHAM, Texas — The duo of Kai Tease (20 points) and AJ Rainey (15 points) combined for 35 points led the Blinn College men’s basketball team (13-5, 3-5) to a 78-64 win on Wednesday night in the Kruse Center on Student Appreciation Night.
“Angelina guarded us well and their offense took it to the rim, but I give our guys credit because they didn’t crack,” said Scott Schumacher, Blinn head coach. “Tease carried us during the stretch in the first half and in the second half hit two big buckets that were huge.”
Tristan Ikpe accounted for the third Buccaneer to reach double-digit points with 11, while Matt Adams followed with eight points, all in the second half.
We have had a lot of close games this year, so knew how to keep playing until the end,” Ikpe said. “I was excited to get this win and it was great doing it in front of a packed gym.”
Play in the first five minutes was back-and-forth until two straight three-pointers off the hands of Tease and Rainey put Blinn ahead 19-14. JaQuan Morris hit a three-pointer with 5:00 remaining to give the Buccaneers a 37-22 cushion. A Nic Tata layup gave Blinn a 16-point lead (44-28) at the break.
Angelina responded in the second half with a 25-11 run to gain on Blinn 55-53 at the 9:00 mark. However, Blinn never surrendered the lead in the final half, scoring the next six points to stay ahead 61-53. Back-to-back shots by Tease kept Blinn ahead by 10 points, 66-56. Adams scored the final four points, sinking two free throws and a layup.
“Once Angelina’s big run came close to an end we started making baskets that were comfortable for our team and everything came together,” Tease said. “We stuck together the whole time and came out on top.”
Blinn will host Schreiner University in a non-conference game on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 38 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
