Late comeback lifts Blinn over Kilgore, 66-63

KILGORE, TX -- Bakari Copeland nearly hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game up, but the ball went partially in the cylinder and bounced back up out of the goal to give Bilnn College a 66-63 conference victory over the Kilgore men at Masters Gymnasium Jan. 3.

Kilgore led the entire first half and had a nine-point lead at halftime, but Blinn chipped away in the second half, taking the lead for good with 4:04 left in the game at 60-59.

Copeland scored 11 points in the contest. Jonathan Milligan was the game's high-scorer with 19.  KC's Michael Thomas had an impressive game on the boards with 10 rebounds.  Thomas also had five blocks of Blinn shots in the contest.

High scorers for Blinn were Morris Dunnigan and Ja'Cardo Hawkins with 14 each. Vicktor Arnick added 12 for the Buccaneers.

With the loss, the Rangers drop to 10-5 overall and 2-3 in Region XIV play.  Blinn improves to 12-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play.

KC will travel to face San Jacinto College Wednesday, Jan. 7, in Pasadena.

PHOTO: Bakari Copeland shoots a free throw.  Photo by Jon Vashey/KC