BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College men's basketball probably put together its best first half of the young season but No. 17 Tyler Junior College was able to overcome the early deficit to charge back for an 84-77 victory Monday night inside the P.E. Building.
With the loss, Blinn falls to 9-4 overall and 1-3 in Region XIV play.
Juwan Green led the Buccaneers in scoring from the point guard position with 23 points while James Harrison scored 17 and LaKendric Hyson chipped in 12 in the loss.
The first half by the Buccaneers started off slow but Blinn would soon take control of the momentum. Tyler led 17-16 with 12:44 left but Blinn went on a run that would give the Buccaneers a 38-23 lead with 2:49 left.
Blinn scored 13 consecutive points late in the first half as Green led the way with 11 points in the opening 20 minutes. The Buccaneers showed a balance on offense as nine different players scored in the opening half. Blinn was able to enter the locker room with a 44-32 lead at the break.
Blinn went from nine players scoring in the first half to only four players scoring for the Buccaneers in the second half. Tyler picked up the offensive pace and hit shots from behind the arc as the Apaches took their first lead of the half at 70-68 with 4:37 left.
Tyler went on a 19-1 run late in the second half that made it difficult for Blinn to recover. Green scored 12 in the second half and Harrison chipped in 10 points but Tyler was able to hold on for the seven-point victory.
Blinn will next travel to face Trinity Valley Community College on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Trinity Valley is 4-1 in Region XIV play through five games.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 34 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
About Blinn College
With an enrollment of 19,422 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for affordable educational excellence. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.
