ATHENS, Texas- The Blinn College women's basketball team fell to No. 2 Trinity Valley Community College, 64-59, despite playing a stronger second half to open Region XIV conference play on Tuesday night.

"We played very hard at a very tough place to play," said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. "I could not be more proud of their competitiveness and effort."

Rayanna Carter led the Blinn Buccaneers with 11 points, Kyler Wyatt followed with 10, while Aaliyah Holmes and Ke'Asia Williams each chipped in seven.

The Trinity Valley Cardinals built an early lead in the first half that they would never surrender.  The Buccaneers stayed close behind the Cardinals in the first quarter as Trinity Valley finished the quarter with a 14-11 lead. By the end of the first half, the Cardinals extended their lead to 38-27.

The Buccaneers came out strong in the second half to outscore the Cardinals, 32-26. Blinn held Trinity Valley to nine points in the third quarter to gain on the Cardinals, 47-42. The Cardinals picked up the pace to stay on top as Blinn and Trinity Valley played point for point in the fourth quarter.

The Buccaneers fall to 0-1 in Region XIV conference play and 4-2 overall.

Blinn will take a break from conference play in a road match-up against McLennan Community College on Monday, Nov. 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987.