CARTHAGE, Texas – Aarika Reyna only hit one basket Saturday night, but she certainly made it count.
Reyna hit a game-winning jump shot with 1.2 seconds remaining to lift the 12th-ranked Blinn Buccaneers to a 70-68 victory over the Panola College Fillies.
Reyna was fouled on the eight-foot jump shot. She missed the free throw attempt, but by the time Panola grabbed the rebound, time had expired.
“I thought Panola played really well,” Blinn (17-1, 3-1 Region XIV) coach Jeff Jenkins said. “We’re probably not playing as well as we’re capable, but we found a way to win on the road against a good team. I’m just glad we found a way.”
Sophomore forward Audrisa Harrison led the Buccaneers with 15 points and seven rebounds, while freshman forward Fatima Adams scored 13 and grabbed 11 boards.
“Our posts did a good job tonight,” Jenkins said. “Fatima and Audrisa come to play every night.”
Guard Tierra Tucker scored 12 while Jazzmin Parker added 10. Amari Jones chipped in seven points off the bench. Jones and guard Danielle Espinoza each got more playing time in the second half as the Buccaneers looked to shore up a defense that allowed 43 points in the first half. Panola led 43-41 at halftime.
Atoe Jackson led Panola (9-9, 1-4 in Region XIV) with a game-high 16 points and Electra Roberts scored 15.
Blinn was coming off its first loss of the season Wednesday at the hands of third-ranked Trinity Valley. Prior to that, the Buccaneers had won their first 16 games, the best start in program history.
The Bucs host Angelina College at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Blinn P.E. Building.
For more information on Blinn basketball, visit www.buccaneersports.com.