BRENHAM, Texas – Despite the Jacksonville College Lady Jaguars coming into Wednesday night’s game on a four-game win streak and as the Region XIV conference leader, Blinn College women’s basketball walked off the court with a 53-51 victory in the Kruse Center.
With the win, the Buccaneers’ overall record increases to 14-15 and conference record improves to 7-12.
“This team practices so hard and deserved something special,” said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. “Beating the number one team in the conference is special for us and it was so exciting to get this win.”
Blinn’s five sophomores came up big on sophomore night and for their final home game of the season to pick up the Buccaneers’ fourth straight win. Ke’Asia Williams led the Buccaneers with 13 points, while Jade Rochelle and Rayanna Carter each scored 11 points. Kyler Wyatt was next with six points and Aaliyah Holmes contributed behind the free throw line for two points.
The Buccaneers and Lady Jaguars entered the final quarter even at 41-41 until Jacksonville pulled away with a 7-0 run. With less than five minutes remaining, Holmes and Wyatt combined for four points to gain on Jacksonville 48-47. Blinn continued to trail until 38.8 seconds were left on the clock and Williams scored a two-pointer for Blinn to level the score 51-51. Carter followed with a two-point shot for Blinn to lead 53-51 with 1.8 seconds left that led the Buccaneers to the victory.
“We wanted this win so badly and knew we had to do something at the end to get it,” said Carter. “I had faith because I knew if I missed that final shot that my teammates would be there to get the rebound, so that’s all I was thinking about. To get this win on the last home game means everything and was the best feeling.”
Jacksonville opened the game with an 18-11 lead in the first quarter. Blinn gained on Jacksonville in the second quarter after outscoring the Lady Jaguars 16-12. Williams led the Buccaneers with seven points in the quarter for Blinn to trail 30-27 at the half.
Alanna Spencer sunk a shot from downtown to kick off the third quarter and even the score 30-30. After Jacksonville went on a 7-2 run, Carter scored the next six points for Blinn to even the score 39-39. Jacksonville pulled back ahead behind the free throw line until Wyatt jumped in with two points in the final five seconds for Blinn to even the score 41-41.
The Buccaneers will play in their final regular season game of the year against Tyler Junior College on Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m. on the road.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.