LUFKIN, Texas – Leading by 10 at the start of the fourth quarter, Blinn College women's basketball was able to do just enough to escape Lufkin with a 72-67 victory over Angelina College Saturday afternoon.

"We played well defensively but we still have room to improve," said Blinn head coach Jeff Jenkins. "I like the fact that we held Angelina to nine points in the second quarter."

The Buccaneers have hit their stride to end January by winning six consecutive conference games to end the month and improve to 17-6 overall and 9-4 in Region XIV play.

Ekiya Gray led Blinn offensively with 21 points and it helped that she made 11-of-14 free throws. Ebony Parker chipped in 17 and Jeliah Preston added 16 points. Rosemary Ilang and Gabriella Odom only combined to score 10 points but their contribution was vital to the Buccaneer victory.

Blinn did get off to a sluggish start, trailing 23-19 after the first quarter. That changed in the second quarter as the Buccaneers clamped down defensively by only allowing nine points and took a 36-32 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was more of the same as Blinn held a 56-46 lead going into the final quarter. The game got a little closer in the final quarter with Blinn missing a handful of easy shots but the Buccaneers were able to hold on for the five-point victory.

Blinn will be on the road again Feb. 3 against Coastal Bend College for a game at 5:30 p.m. The Coastal Bend game will cap a stretch where Blinn played five of six games on the road.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 32 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

About Blinn College

With an enrollment of 19,422 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.