PARIS, Texas – Blinn College men’s basketball didn’t take a lead in the overtime period until the final 11 seconds when Jarius Kesee knocked in a basket and that would be enough to beat Paris Junior College 73-71 in overtime Saturday night.
“We played really good,” said Scott Schumacher, Blinn head coach. “This was a tough, hard-fought basketball game on the road.”
The win is the first conference victory for the Buccaneers as their Region XIV record levels out at 1-1. Blinn improves to 7-2 overall with the win.
Juwan Green led Blinn with 19 points, LaKendric Hyson followed with 17 and James Harrison chipped in 12 points. Kesee only scored five points in the game but his final two points were enough to earn Blinn the victory.
Blinn was able to hang around in the first half as Paris held a 34-30 lead at the break. The Buccaneers battled back in the second half to tie the game at 67-67 with possession of the ball. Blinn missed its shot at winning the game in regulation but would make up for it in the overtime period.
Blinn and Paris went back and forth for nearly the entire overtime period until Kesee hit his big shot to give Blinn a 73-71 lead with 11 seconds. Paris had its chances to score in the final seconds but the Buccaneers held on with their defensive effort to notch the two-point victory.
Blinn will be back home on Wednesday, Dec. 7 for a conference game against Bossier Parish Community College at 7:30 p.m. That game will be Student Appreciation Night and Blinn College Alumni & Friends/Lettermen Days with special events throughout the game.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 34 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
