BRENHAM, Texas – No. 14 Blinn College women's basketball was able to hold on to a one point lead for the final Temple College possession that lasted 30 seconds to pick up a 55-54 victory Wednesday night inside the P.E. Building.
The Buccaneers earned a little revenge by beating Temple after losing to the same team on the road to begin the regular season on Nov. 1. Blinn improved to 4-2 on the year with the win.
"Temple is a legitimately good team with a lot of players that can score," said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. "That was a good win for us because we are not making enough plays right not but still finding a way to win."
Denisha Ford hit some big shots in the fourth quarter and tied for the team-high with 10 points.
"Coach Jenkins was telling us to keep attacking and I was able to find some space," Ford said. "We had a tough time finding space at first with their zone but eventually were able to break it down."
Jade Rochelle also scored 10 points as the only two Blinn players in double figures. Bryanna Taylor scored nine points while Ke'Asia Williams and Alexis Oaks each scored seven in the win.
Blinn entered the fourth quarter trailing by three but was able to storm back for the win. Ford scored six points by scoring inside the 3-point line while Taylor hit a pair of 3-pointers to also score six in the fourth but it was the two free throws hit by Williams that gave Blinn a 55-54 lead with 59.5 left.
Temple had possession of the ball in the final 30 seconds and had a few looks close to the rim but none of the shots would go in as the Buccaneers were able to hold on for the one-point victory.
Offense was a struggle at times for Blinn but not in the opening quarter. Rochelle and Ford each scored four points and the Buccaneers jumped out to a 20-13 lead. The second and third quarters were an offensive grind for Blinn as the Buccaneers only scored 18 combined points in those quarters.
Blinn lost its lead and trailed Temple 29-28 at the half and then trailed 41-38 after the third quarter but had enough to come back for the win in the fourth.
Blinn will open conference play on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at home against No. 2 Trinity Valley Community College at 5:30 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.
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.
