Published: January 12, 2009 09:53 am      

Kilgore stuns Lady Cards

Seventh-ranked TVCC falls 85-82 in 2 OTs

KILGORE — The seventh-ranked Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals suffered their first Region XIV Conference loss Saturday night, losing 85-82 in double overtime to the Kilgore College Lady Rangers at Masters Gymnasium.

The Lady Cardinals’ first loss to Kilgore since 1997 dropped them to 11-6 on the year and 5-1 in the conference. Kilgore upped its records to 12-2 and 3-2.

TVCC is scheduled to be at home Wednesday against Tyler (6-12, 1-5). Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Coach Michael Landers’ Lady Cardinals were in control in the first half. jumping out to a 16-4 lead and leading 36-26 at halftime. Behind freshman guard Danyell Oliver, the Lady Rangers rallied in the second half.

Oliver scored 20 of her game-high 26 points in the second half. She hit one of her five three-pointers at the 8:21 mark to give Kilgore a 54-52 lead.

The Lady Rangers built a 65-60 lead before DeShawna Banks hit a three-pointer and Jasmine Nelson hit a layup for TVCC.

The score was tied 65-65 at end of regulation and 73-73 after the first overtime.

Banks led the Lady Cardinals with 22 points. Nelson had 20 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. Tawatha Tucker had 14 points.

Janae Henderson finished with 20 points for Kilgore, also grabbing 11 rebounds and handing out five assists.

The TVCC loss leaves Angelina, 12-3 overall, alone atop the conference standings at 5-0. The Lady Cardinals travel Saturday to Lufkin to face the Lady Roadrunners in a 2 p.m. tipoff.