ATHENS, Texas – The ninth-ranked Blinn Buccaneers pushed the top-ranked team in the country to its limit here Saturday night in a 94-88 overtime loss to Trinity Valley.
The teams ended regulation deadlocked in a 77-77 tie. The win marked defending national champion Trinity Valley's (29-1, 16-0 in Region XIV Conference) 44th consecutive home win.
"I thought we competed extremely hard," said Blinn coach Jeff Jenkins. "I thought offensively our players made plays and hit shots, but we just couldn't stop their offense. They're really talented."
Sophomore guard Jazzmin Parker scored 18 of her 26 points in the first half, and freshman forward Fatima Adams shared the team lead with 26 points of her own. Sophomore forward Audrisa Harrison scored 20.
Blinn had a chance to win the game with nine seconds remaining in regulation, but a turnover on an inbounds pass forced overtime. Trinity Valley outscored Blinn 17-11 in overtime.
Schlonte Allen led Trinity Valley with a game-high 26 points.
The Buccaneers end the regular season with a 28-2 record and will enter the Region XIV Tournament as the No. 2 seed behind Trinity Valley. They will open tournament play at 6 p.m. Wednesday against the seventh seed at the University of Texas – Tyler. The tournament champion automatically advances to the NJCAA Championships held March 18-23 in Salina, Kan.
Blinn's 28 wins this season mark a program record.
