Apache Ladies drop Blinn
Box Score: https://www.apacheathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/boxscores/20240217_6zry.xml?view=boxscore
Phil Hicks-Tyler Morning Telegraph
The Apache Ladies used an inside power game and clutch outside shooting to capture a key 80-70 win over Blinn College on Saturday in a Region XIV women's basketball game at Wagstaff Gymnasium.
With Grace Ezebilo controlling the boards along with Fenisha Bertho finding buckets inside and Kiana Bennett draining long-distance shots, Tyler Junior College used a decisive third quarter to pull away and register the much-needed win.
TJC Coach Trenia Tillis Hoard said her team gave "a maximum team effort and played team basketball. Our kids got out there and played with everything they had."
With Bennett, showing the form of last season, and Kamora Jackson, Amari Welch and KeleChi Dike making pinpoint passes, the Apaches were able to sweep the season series from the Lady Buccaneers. Tyler won in Brenham, 72-68, on Jan. 17.
The victory moves Tyler to 14-11 overall and 5-6 in Region XIV. Blinn falls to 17-8 and 7-4.
After trailing 40-35 at halftime, TJC came out on fire in the third quarter, both offensively and defensively, outscoring Blinn 23-8 to take a 58-49 lead heading into the fourth period.
Bennett drained five 3-pointers en route to 21 points, while Bertho added 17 points, along with six rebounds and four blocked shots.
Ezebilo was a force down low, grabbing 14 rebounds and also blocking two shots.
Also scoring for Tyler were Lillian Jackson (14), Dike (9), Scejeonna Anderson (7), Ezebilo (6), Kamora Jackson (5) and Naomi Wilson (1).
Kamora Jackson, Welch and Dike each had four assists. Dike also drew a charge.
After 10 turnovers, TJC had only five in the second half.
Four Lady Bucs were in double figures — Jonesha Neal (11), Wynter Jones (11), Chelsy Singleton (10) and Tocarra Johnson (10).
Former Chapel Hill player DJ Kincade hit for eight points in her return to East Texas. Also scoring for Blinn were Ja'Nya Thomas (6), Nala Richardson (5), Biva Byrd (4), Jasmyn Jackson (3) and Tianna Mathis (3).
Johnson had eight rebounds, followed by Mathis (7), Jasmyn Jackson (6) and Singleton (5).
Blinn had 13 turnovers.
TJC was 12 of 20 from the free throw line and 6 of 18 from 3-point (Bennett, 5; K. Jackson, 1).
BC was 15 of 25 from the free throw line and 1 of 10 form 3-point (Jones).
The Apache Ladies return to play on Wednesday, traveling to Paris (7-17, 3-7) to meet the Lady Dragons in a 5:30 p.m. contest. Their next home game is Saturday, Feb. 24 against Angelina (2 p.m. tipoff).
Blinn is scheduled to visit Angelina (17-8, 9-2) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
In other Region XIV women's games on Saturday: Trinity Valley 77, Angelina 52; Panola 97, Kilgore 94, OT; and Coastal Bend 89, Jacksonville 74.
Other games on Wednesday include: Jacksonville (2-20, 0-11) at Panola (12-11, 5-5), 5:30 p.m.; and Trinity Valley (18-5, 8-3) at Coastal Bend (7-16, 3-7), 5:30 p.m. Kilgore (15-10, 8-3) has a bye.
