CORSICANA, Texas — Sophomore guard Markques Houston scored 16 points and three of his teammates scored in double figures Saturday, but it wasn't enough for the Blinn College men's basketball team to overcome Navarro College on the road, 85-81.

Blinn led 40-32 at halftime, but starting point guard Anthony Rice left the game with an injury early in the second half and Navarro went on a run to take the lead into the closing minutes of the game. Blinn cut the lead to 83-81 in the final moments, but two late free throws sealed the win for Navarro.

"We have played four games in nine days," Blinn (10-6, 2-5) coach Scott Schumacher said. "I thought we competed at an extremely high level and had a chance to win all four games because of our effort and how hard we played. Unfortunately, tonight we couldn't finish it."

Navarro improved to 14-3 on the season and 5-2 in the Region XIV Conference.

Blinn's Tyrus Grayson scored 13, Antione Lister added 12, and Tony Lewis scored 11.

The Buccaneers return to action Tuesday when they host Lone Star College-Tomball at 7 p.m. in the Kruse Center.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

About Blinn College

With an enrollment of 18,977 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.