Published: Wednesday, February 15th 2017

TJC men, women sweep Kilgore College

KILGORE, TX -- The Rangers and Lady Rangers fell to conference opponent Tyler Junior College Feb. 15 despite impressive first halves by both teams.

TJC 88, LADY RANGERS 75:

Kilgore College's Jade Thurmond hit a three-pointer going into halftime to put the Lady Rangers up 40-33 at intermission, but KC struggled to stop the Lady Apaches in the second half, losing 88-75, snapping its three-game winning streak.

Thurmond led all scorers with 28 points for KC while Lyrik Williams earned a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.  KC's Richelle Velez got into foul trouble early but ended up with 11 points.  She was 3-of-8 from behind the three point line.

TJC had a balanced attack with five players in double figures.  Leading the way was Nautica Grant with 17 points and Antionette Shrepee with 14 points.

With the loss, KC drops to 16-8 overall and 7-7 in Region XIV play.  The Lady Apaches improve to 21-4 overall and 12-3 in conference play, sitting in second place in Region XIV behind Trinity Valley Community College at 12-2.

The women's next game is 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in Bossier City, La., against Bossier Parish Community College.

TJC 86, RANGERS 70:

The KC Rangers were only down by one point at halftime to Tyler Junior College but faded in the second half, losing to the Apaches 86-70.

TJC came out on fire in the second half and KC struggled to make shots against an Apache team that ended up with four players in double figures.

An offensive bright spot for the Rangers was Jamar Sandifer who was 11-of-17 overall and 5-of-8 from behind the three point line, scoring 29 points.

Freshman Chad Bowie was also in double figures for KC with 15 points.  KC's Samory Gueye was 2-of-3 from the three point line and ended up with 9 points.

TJC was led in scoring by Jaquan McCauley with 16 points.  Tiandre Jackson scored 15 for the Apaches, Eden Ewing scored 14 and Kwinton Hinson had 12 points.

With the loss, the Rangers drop to 12-12 overall and 3-11 in Region XIV play.  TJC improves to 20-3 overall and 12-3 in conference play.

The men's next game is 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in Bossier City, La., against Bossier Parish Community College.