CARTHAGE, Texas — Blinn College men's basketball outscored Panola College in the second half, but fell just short of pulling off the victory as the Ponies walked off the court with the win, 62-58, on Monday night. 

With the loss, Blinn's overall record drops to 11-4 and conference record falls to 1-4. 

"I am extremely proud of our guys," said Scott Schumacher, Blinn head coach. "I thought we competed and played at a very high level intensity-wise and just fell short at the end."

Kai Tease led the Buccaneers with 13 points, while Tristan Ikpe followed with 10. Matt Adams and Jalin Suber each pitched in nine.

Panola took off with an early advantage and entered the second half with a 36-23 lead. In the second half Blinn rallied to outscore Panola and with 26 seconds left pulled within two points of the Ponies. Trailing 60-58, the Buccaneers missed two shots that would have evened the score. With seven seconds to go, Panola sunk two free throws for the four-point victory. 

Next, Blinn will return home to face No. 10 Trinity Valley Community College on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kruse Center. The Blinn women's basketball team will kick off the doubleheader against Coastal Bend College at 5:30 p.m. 

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 38 NJCAA national championships since 1987.