Published: January 12, 2009 09:55 am      

Comeback Cardinals finish job

TVCC rallies from 22-point deficit in second half for 86-79 OT victory

KILGORE — Just three nights earlier, the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals had fallen short in a comeback after trailing Navarro College by 23 in the second half.

Saturday night, they found themselves in a similar situation, falling behind by 22 to Kilgore College in a Region XIV Conference game at Masters Gymnasium.

But this time the outcome was different.

Sophomore guard Amir Rashid hit two pressure-packed free throws with a half-second left in regulation to force overtime, where the Cardinals pulled away for an 86-79 win.

The win was much-needed for third-year coach Pat Smith’s squad. The Cardinals, 10-6 overall, improved to 2-3 in the conference. Kilgore fell to 7-9 and 2-3 marks.

TVCC is scheduled to be at home Wednesday against Bossier Parish, one of two new teams in the conference this year. Action tips off at 7:30 p.m. after a 5:30 p.m. TVCC-Tyler women’s game.

Rashid’s free throws completed a rally that saw the Cardinals erase a 40-18 Kilgore lead in the opening minute of the second half. The Rangers were up 39-18 at the half.

The Cardinals, who never led in regulation, opened overtime with an 11-4 run, including five points from Rashid.

Rashid finished with 19 points, but he wasn’t the top TVCC scorer. Dexter Ellington fired in 24 to lead the Cardinals. Rashid also had six assists and six steals.

Phadarius Taylor and Derrick Young also scored in double figures for the Cardinals with 10 points each.

LaMarshall Corbett pumped in 30 points to pace the Kilgore scoring. Troy Gage had 20 for the Rangers.

The Cardinals outscored the Rangers 51-30 in the second half with Ellington and Rashid combining for 35.

TVCC shot 59.5 percent from the floor in the second half and overtime.

After playing Bossier Parish at home Wednesday, the Cardinals travel Saturday to Lufkin to take on Angelina in a 4 p.m. start.