Both Angelina College basketball teams are hoping to get back on the winning track when they host Wednesday’s doubleheader at Shands Gymnasium, but both teams expect plenty of resistance in doing so.
The Roadrunners have experienced their first two-game losing streak since conference play began after falling Saturday in Jacksonville. That game came just three days after Wednesday’s heartbreaking, last-second home loss to Lamar State College-Port Arthur.
To snap the mini-skid, the ‘Runners will have to hold off a Lee College team seeking a little payback. On January 28, AC escaped Baytown with a win when the Rebels failed to clinch the contest by missing free throws in the final minute. On the last miss, Roadrunner Gary Blackston grabbed a defensive rebound and drove the length of the floor for a buzzer-beating layup to give AC an 80-79 win. In addition to seeking redemption, the Rebels will attempt to move closer to second place in the South Division standings: AC, at 10-5, is in second place, with Lee College right behind in third at 8-6. The Rebels avoided their own two-game losing streak with Monday’s 61-57 win in Jacksonville.
The Lady Roadrunners also have a tough task on-hand Wednesday night with the 10th-ranked Trinity Valley Lady Cardinals arriving at Shands Gym. TVCC’s record in conference play is 12-3, but two of those losses came via forfeit. However, the Lady Cardinals lost 64-39 to Panola College on Saturday, and Lady ‘Runner head coach Byron Coleman’s teams have notched a few upsets over the Lady Cardinals over the years. AC’s ladies knocked off San Jacinto College last Wednesday in a thriller, with Kennethah Harden scoring the game winner with 13 seconds to play. The Lady ‘Runners, at an even 8-8 in conference play, have four games remaining to secure a berth in the upcoming conference tournament, but only two of those games are at home.
Game times on Wednesday are 5:30 for the Lady Roadrunners and 7:30 for the Roadrunners. Both games will be streamed live, and viewers can catch the action by logging onto the Angelina College web site (www.angelina.edu) and clicking the Athletics link.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
