3/9/2007 - Blinn 73, AC 68 (OT)

JACKSONVILLE – Friday at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners were three seconds away from advancing to the next round of the Region XIV women’s tournament.

That’s when they ran into a Minor problem.

Blinn College’s Brittany Minor hit a desperation three pointer – her only one of the night – with just three ticks remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime. There, the Lady Bucs converted 9-of-12 free throw attempts to win 73-68 and end the Lady ‘Runners’ amazing season.

Minor finished with 26 points in leading all scorers. Teammate Edricka Thomas caught fire late, hitting 11-of-14 free throws on her way to a 20-point effort.

AC sophomore Camille Parks was a huge factor in nearly leading the Lady Roadrunners into the next round. Parks began the game by hitting six straight free-throw attempts and finished with 23 in her final game with AC. Desiree Waller added 14 points on four threes; and Ty Felder finished with 9 points and 8 rebounds in her last game as a Lady Roadrunner.

But the most telling number in the loss may have been Blinn’s 61-43 edge in rebounding, a factor AC coach Byron Coleman said proved the difference.

“We played well for the most part, but we just gave up too many offensive rebounds down the stretch,” Coleman said. “That gave them too many scoring opportunities late in the game.”

“We had a great season, with plenty of ups and downs. But the girls played some great basketball. We’ll just keep trying to keep moving this program forward.”

For the first seven minutes of the game, it appeared the Lady Roadrunners weren’t ready for a tournament challenge. AC went without a single field goal in that span, yet fell behind just 9-2 because of their own defensive efforts. Once the offense hit its stride, the Lady ‘Runners reeled off a 22-2 run in seemingly taking control.

The double-digit margin held up throughout most of the contest, until Blinn regained the lead at 53-51 at the 2:49 mark. AC then answered with a 6-0 run that moved them to within seconds of the first-round win.

But after two Parks free throws with 12 seconds to play, Minor managed to break free on the right side of the key and let fly with her desperation heave that netted the Lady Bucs an OT opportunity.

The game marked the final appearances for sophomores Parks, Felder, Avery Bess and Sha’Tonya Mays.

AC finishes the season at 18-12, Coleman’s second straight winning season since becoming the head coach of the Lady Roadrunners.
 

 

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