BRENHAM, Texas – The Lee College Rebels rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final five minutes to defeat the Blinn Buccaneers 62-61 here Wednesday at the Blinn P.E. Building.
The Buccaneers didn’t score in the game’s final five minutes, as Lee’s smothering defense allowed the Rebels to rally late in the game.
A pair of free throws with three minutes to go pulled the Rebels within 61-57, and with 2:25 left in the game, Lee’s Jamal Jones hit a 3-pointer to make it a one-point ballgame. With 1:45 left, Lee’s Isaac Smith made a pair of free throws to make it 62-61.
The Buccaneers got their opportunities late. With 34.6 seconds left, Lee stepped out of bounds, giving the Bucs an opportunity for a final shot. After a pair of inbounds plays, Blinn’s chance at a game-winning bucket fell short and Lee grabbed the rebound for the win.
Jones, a transfer from the University of Mississippi, led the Rebels with 24 points while Trahson Burrell and Don Thomas each scored 12. The win improved Lee to 13-6 on the season and 5-3 in the Region XIV Conference.
Freshman forward Rashaun Stimage scored 18 points to lead the Bucs while sophomore guard T.J. Berry added 12. Kendall Deveaux scored eight and DeQuentin Greer added seven.
The Bucs, who were coming off a 56-54 victory over Panola, fell to 9-10 on the season and 1-6 in Region XIV.
The Buccaneers play at Jacksonville College at 4 p.m. Saturday before hosting Angelina College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
For more information on Blinn basketball, visit www.buccaneersports.com.