Lamar State rallies to defeat KC in final stretch, 72-70

KILGORE, TX -- The Kilgore College Rangers led by as many as 19 points, but a scrappy Lamar State College-Port Arthur Seahawks team climbed its way back into the game Jan. 7 and handed KC its first conference loss, 72-70.

KC was ahead 39-27 at halftime but LSC got within three points with three minutes left in the game when Terrance Minor made a layup to make the score 67-64.

The Rangers responded with a jump shot by Jordyn Owens to improve the lead to 69-64, but LSC scored the next four points thanks to two Ranger turnovers.

With the score 69-68, KC turned the ball over once again.  LSC’s Minor was fouled and made one-of-two free throws to get within one point of KC, 70-69, with 1:11 left in the game.

After both teams traded turnovers, KC's Rodrigue Tha Andela was fouled under the basket.  Andela made one-of-two free throws to even the score at 70 with 17.5 seconds left.

On LSC's ensuing possession, Nathan Bailey nailed a baseline jumper to put the Seahawks ahead, 72-70, with 4.4 seconds left.

KC had one final shot for the win, but a long three-pointer was no good.

Jordyn Owens led all KC scorers with 22 points.  Two other Rangers were in double figures with Demiere Brown and Darrian Grays each scoring 14.

Grays was 4-of-7 from the beyond the three-point line and Brown earned a double-double with 11 rebounds.

LSC had three players in double figures with Minor leading with 14 points, Tevin Baker scoring 13 and Bailey  and Jaymus Jones each scoring 11 points.

KC sits at 12-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play.  The Seahawks improve to 11-5 overall and 3-2 in Region XIV play.

The Rangers travel Wednesday, Jan. 9, to play Lee College.  Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Baytown.

PHOTO BY GARY DICKERT/Lone Star College-Port Arthur