Men's Basketball 1/15/2026 12:15:00 AM

Key offensive, defensive plays lead Blinn to Region 14 overtime win over Angelina

The Buccaneers earned their third consecutive region victory

Men's Basketball 1/15/2026 12:15:00 AM

Key offensive, defensive plays lead Blinn to Region 14 overtime win over Angelina

The Buccaneers earned their third consecutive region victory

A key defensive play, a clutch basket in the final seconds of regulation, and a big bucket in overtime lifted the Blinn College men's basketball team to a 62-59 Region 14 victory over Angelina College on Wednesday at the Kruse Center in Brenham, Texas.

The Buccaneers earned their third consecutive victory – all region wins – to improve to 10-6 overall and 4-4 in region matchups.

Blinn has won two in a row and six of its last seven against the Roadrunners. Including Wednesday's outcome, each of the past three meetings have been decided by three points or less.

"The last two times we played Angelina, the game came down to the final possession, so to see it go the way it did tonight was no surprise," Bucs head coach Scott Schumacher said. "I told our guys after the game that this victory was all about them and their ability to make winning plays at the end."

After the Roadrunners erased a double-digit deficit in the first half and pulled ahead in the second, Blinn was suddenly facing a 56-52 hole in the final minute of regulation.

Freshman guard Desmeon Jones sank a free throw to get the Bucs within 57-55 with 15 seconds to go before a game-changing play from freshman guard Brandon Hatcher gave the hosts a chance.

On the ensuing inbounds pass, Angelina attempted a long heave downcourt. Hatcher was waiting and intercepted the ball before dishing a quick pass to sophomore guard Deshawn Ceaser.

"I understand my role on this team, and that's to play defense," Hatcher said. "So, in that moment, I fulfilled that role and did my best to make a play to help my team. To see what happened afterward made it even more rewarding."

Caesar attempted a long jumper to tie the game but missed his target, and freshman guard Kendarius Johnson met the ball at the backboard for a quick tip-in with five seconds left.

"Deshawn is a great shooter, so I was there at the basket ready for him to make it so I could get back on defense," Johnson said, "but when it hit the rim I just told myself I had to make a play for my team and that's what I did."

Angelina missed a would-be game-winning shot as the regulation buzzer sounded to push the game into a five-minute overtime period.

In extra time, the Roadrunners jumped ahead 59-57 before the Bucs scored the next five points.

Ceasar drilled a 3-pointer, and after Blinn missed six free throws that would have virtually put the game away, Jones scored on a clutch layup to cap the scoring with 27 seconds remaining.

Angelina finished the game with the ball, but as Blinn's defense stiffened, the Roadrunners attempted an off-target 3 as time expired.

"Our guys hung in there and did what they had to do," Schumacher added. "They played hard in a tough game, so my hat is off to them."

The biggest lead of the night for either team came with 8:57 left the first half when freshman guard Connor Sprattley nailed a 3 to put the Bucs up 19-8.

Blinn led 24-21 at the half.

Jones paced Blinn with 16 points, followed by a season-high 14 for freshman forward Rollings Kamanda. Ceaser and Sprattley had nine apiece while Johnson tallied eight.

Region play continues for the Bucs when they host Bossier Parish Community College at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Kruse Center.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53 national championships since 1987.

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