BRENHAM, Texas — Although the Blinn College women's basketball (10-13, 3-8) team outscored Kilgore College in the second half of play, the Buccaneers couldn't overcome an early deficit as they fell to the Lady Rangers, 83-66, Wednesday night in the Kruse Center.
"In the first quarter we put ourselves in a bind against a team that is really athletic, rebounds really well and plays hard," said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. "I was proud of our kids' effort and look forward to getting back on the court against Trinity Valley on Saturday."
Missy Archie and Alexus Brigham led Blinn's offense with 14 points apiece, while Alexus Wykoff and Kristine Ezimako each added 12 and Mariel Wade chipped in 11.
Kilgore got out to a fast start to lead Blinn 25-8. Although Blinn went on a 10-2 run to finish the quarter, led by Archie with four points, the Buccaneers still trailed 27-18.
Wade led off the second quarter with a three-pointer, but Kilgore took off with an 11-0 run to lead 37-21. Wykoff shot a three-pointer for Blinn to cut its deficit to 39-25 at the 5:00 mark. Brigham scored the final two points for Blinn in the quarter behind the free throw line for the Buccaneers to trail 51-31 at the break.
The Buccaneers managed to outscore Kilgore for the first time in the third quarter by one point. Archie led the way with two layups and a shot from downtown. She took the Buccaneers on a 5-0 run for Blinn to close in on Kilgore 58-42. Blinn ended the period on a 5-2 run and trailed 66-47 heading into the final quarter.
The Buccaneers once again outscored the Lady Rangers in the fourth quarter 19-17. Brigham scored a majority of the points with nine. A three-pointer by Wade allowed Blinn to pull within 13 points of Kilgore 70-57. However, a 6-0 run kept Kilgore ahead of Blinn for the 17-point victory.
Next, the Buccaneers will host No. 2 Trinity Valley Community College on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. in the Kruse Center. Following the game, the Blinn College men's basketball team will take the court against the Houston Gladiators at 4 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 38 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
