Men lose to Blinn in home-opener, 58-56

KILGORE, TX -- Kilgore College rallied from eight points down at halftime to close the gap, but the Blinn Buccaneers nipped the Rangers in the end, winning 58-56 in the Rangers' home-opener.

With 12 lead changes in the second half, it was a back-and-forth affair with KC coming up just short, making only 27.3% of field goals in the contest (18-of-66).

Blinn shot much better, making 43.1% of its field goals (22-of-51).

KJ Jenkins led all Rangers in scoring with 14 points.  Dantwan Grimes added 12 while Paul Otieno and Javonne Lowrey scored 11 each.

Otieno earned a double-double by grabbing 14 rebounds.

Calvin Carpenter led Blinn in scoring with 16 points. Two other Bucs were in double figures with Davon Coleman scoring 11 points and Bonke Maring with 10.

Rounding out the scoring for KC was Dylan Cabs with 5 points and Da'Sean Nelson with 3.

KC will travel Wednesday, Jan. 27, to take on Paris Junior College in a 7 p.m. tipoff.  

The Rangers return home Saturday, Jan. 30, in a 4 p.m. tipoff against Panola College.

PHOTO ABOVE: KC Jenkins shoots a floater Jan. 23 in Masters Gymnasium versus Blinn College. Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC