“The effort was good tonight, but our defense has to get better in order for us to beat good Region XIV teams in February,” Blinn head coach Jeff Jenkins said. “I will give Tyler credit, their players made plays offensively in the fourth quarter.”
Blinn dropped to 17-2 overall and 6-2 in region play, while Tyler jumped to 18-3 overall and 7-1 in the region.
The two teams played a tightly contested ballgame from start to finish. Tyler led 25-24 after the first quarter before the Buccaneers took a 41-40 lead into halftime. The teams were tied 60-60 heading into the fourth period.
Leading the way offensively for Blinn was freshman guard Skylar Barnes with 16 points, followed by fellow freshman guard Telisha Brown with 15. Sophomore wing Deja Adrian added 11 points and freshman guards Jakoriah Long and Hannah Humphrey tallied 10 apiece.
Blinn resumes its season with a region bout at Coastal Bend at 2 p.m. Saturday in Beeville, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
