TYLER, Texas – The semester break wasn’t enough to change the Blinn Buccaneers’ late-game fortunes.
The Tyler Junior College Apaches defeated the Blinn men’s basketball team 67-60 here Saturday after forward Dale Jones hit a key 3-pointer in the game’s final minute.
Freshman point guard Donald Moore matched a season high with 18 points and fellow freshman Marshall Bennett added 12 points, but it was Tyler that came away with the big plays late in the game.
Blinn trailed59-57 with 1:25 remaining in the game when Moore hit a 3-pointer to give the Buccaneers a one-point lead. But the 6-foot-9 Jones responded with a 3-pointer off a pick-and-roll with just a few ticks remaining on the shot clock , making it 62-60 Tyler.
With about 30 seconds remaining, Blinn got the entry pass it was looking for in the high post, but bobbled the ball, allowing Tyler to get the steal. From there, Tyler made its free throws to put the game away.
Blinn shot 40 percent from the night while holding Tyler to39 percent. The Apaches were 21-of-27 from the free throw line, while Blinn was 14-of-23. The Bucs were 8-of-12 from 3-point range, including 6-of-8 shooting beyond the arc from Moore.
“Donald had a great game,” Blinn (8-8, 0-5 in Region XIV) coach Scott Schumacher said. “We played a good game and had an opportunity in the last minute and a half to put the game away, but they hit that three and we had a turnover. That was the difference.”
Anthony Odunsi scored a game-high 21 points for Tyler and Ta’Jon Welcome added 15. The Apaches improved to 11-4 on the season and 2-3 in conference.
“They have a good team and a good scheme,” Schumacher said. “They’re well-coached.”
The Buccaneers host Trinity Valley at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Blinn P.E. Building.
For more information on Blinn basketball, visit www.buccaneersports.com.