Rangers defeat Blinn in R14 quarterfinals, will play Navarro next

JACKSONVILLE, TX -- Kilgore College put on a dominating performance in the first half to put away the Blinn Buccaneers in the quarterfinals of the Region XIV Basketball Tournament at John Alexander Gymnasium.

Kilgore's KJ Jenkins drained a long-range 3-pointer as the buzzer expired at halftime to go into the locker room ahead, 46-29.

Blinn rallied toward the end of the game, but it wasn't enough, as KC held on for the 86-75 victory.

Jenkins led all scorers with 22 points, three steals, an assist and nine rebounds.

Dantwan Grimes and Da'Sean Nelson were also in double figures for the Rangers with 19 and 15 points, respectively.

Blinn had three players in double figures with Calvin Carpenter (16), Davion Coleman (14) and Tyler Washington (12).

With the win, KC advances to play Navarro College 8 p.m. Friday, April 9, in the semifinals back at John Alexander Gymnasium in Jacksonville.

Box Score

PHOTO ABOVE: Da’Sean Nelson (12) of Kilgore College drives past a Blinn College defender during the Region XIV Tournament game in John Alexander Gymnasium in Jacksonville Thursday night. The Rangers had a bye in the first round of playoffs and made a solid showing, defeating the Buccaneers 86-75 in order to advance to play Navarro College in the semifinals. Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC Marketing