WACO, Texas – Blinn College women’s basketball was able to recover after a slow start in the first quarter to come back and claim a 71-68 victory over Hill College in its first game of the McLennan Community College tournament in Waco.
With the win in its first post-holiday break game, Blinn improves to 8-5 overall and stays 3-2 in Region XIV play.
Daikea Milton led the way for the Buccaneers with 23 points while Ke’Asia Williams and Jasmine Redmond each scored 10 in the victory. Brenisha Coleman added seven points and Jasline Chandler tossed in six points.
Turnovers were an early issue for Blinn and Hill took advantage by outscoring the Buccaneers 25-10 in the first 10 minutes. Blinn did not quit on the game and worked hard starting in the second quarter to crawl back into the game.
“We played hard and didn’t hang our heads after that first quarter,” said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. “We started making plays in the second quarter.”
The Buccaneers outscored Hill 21-11 in the second but it was Hill still leading 36-31 at the half. Blinn clamped down defensively in the third quarter and only allowed six points to Hill. The Buccaneers scored 15 in the third to take a 46-42 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Hill did much better on offense in the fourth but Blinn was able to score just enough to hold on for the three-point victory to open up the tournament.
Blinn will play its final game of the McLennan tournament on Tuesday, Jan. 3 against Collin County Community College at 3 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 34 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.