KC fends off TJC for big conference road victory, 65-59

TYLER, TX -- With the help of 23 points by Jonathan Milligan and two other Kilgore College players in double figures, the Rangers got a huge road win Feb. 26 in Tyler over the Tyler Junior College Apaches, 65-59.

KC's Bakari Copeland scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Rangers.  Jaleel Wheeler scored 11 points and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the victory.

Michael Thomas also had a big game for KC with nine rebounds and six points.

TJC chipped away at a 16-point KC lead in the second half to get within five points late in the game, but the Rangers kept getting the defensive stops they needed to maintain the lead. 

The Apaches also had three players in double figures with Dale Jones scoring 15 points, Tyler Miller scoring 13 and Darryl Stewart scoring 10.

With the win, KC improves to 20-8 overall and 12-6 in Region XIV play.

KC has one more regular season game left before the Region XIV tournament starts next week in Jacksonville at the former Lon Morris College gymnasium.

The tournament has been moved to Jacksonville because of scheduling conflicts at UT Tyler.

Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at home versus Navarro College.