BRENHAM, Texas – After a pair of missed free throws allowed the Angelina Lady Roadrunners to force overtime, the Blinn Buccaneers showed that they had learned their lesson.
The 11th-ranked Buccaneers hit all four of their overtime free throws to defeat Angelina 84-77 Wednesday at the Blinn P.E. Building.
"We made just enough stops to win," Blinn (18-1, 4-1 in Region XIV) coach Jeff Jenkins said. "Down the stretch we tried to have our best defensive lineup, but Angelina still made some plays."
Blinn and Angelina entered the game tied for second place in the Region XIV Conference. Blinn's only loss this season came against third-ranked Trinity Valley.
The Buccaneers led by just one with 2:07 remaining in overtime when freshman forward Fatima Adams hit both her free throws to make the score 80-77. On Blinn's next possession, Adams was again fouled, and she once more made both shots from the charity stripe.
"I've said it over and over – she's probably the best freshman post I've had since Isha Brown my first year here (in 2002)," Jenkins said. "She's a good all-around basketball player."
Adams' free throws would prove all the offense Blinn needed, as freshman guard Moe Bedford added another bucket to produce the final score.
Adams finished with a team-high 20 points while Jazzmin Parker added 19 and Bedford finished with 14. Sophomore forward Audrisa Harrison scored 14 points while leading the team with 13 rebounds.
With less than four minutes to go in regulation, a layup by Angelina's Lexi Harris cut Blinn's lead to 68-65. Parker answered with a jumper from the top of the key, but Angelina's Diamond Webb came right back with a 3-pointer that made it 70-68.
With just over two minutes to go, Fatima Adams knocked the ball loose and went the length of the floor for a layup that briefly extended Blinn's lead to four points, but again, the Lady Roadrunners answered as Webb made a pair of free throws to make it 72-70.
Blinn freshman Amari Jones drew a charge with a minute to go in the game, and Angelina was whistled for an offensive foul on its next possession. The Lady Roadrunners were forced to foul with 14.1 seconds left, but the Bucs missed both free throws.
Angelina's Demetria Foreman took advantage of the opening, hitting a 15-foot jump shot with five seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.
"For us, it's always about defense," Jenkins said. "I don't even worry about offense with this team – they'll find ways to score."
The loss dropped Angelina to 11-7 on the season and 3-2 in conference.
The Buccaneers play at Jacksonville College at 2 p.m. Saturday before hosting Tyler Junior College at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
