PASADENA – Playing in the ultimate in hostile environments – Anders Gym in Pasadena – the Angelina College Roadrunner basketball team Wednesday night played one of its best games of the season, only to falter in the final minutes of a 91-82 loss to San Jacinto's Ravens.
Five Roadrunners scored in double figures, with Takoby Jackson and Antonio Holmes finishing with 20 each. Ron Steward added 14, Trent Brantley 12 and Travis Smith 10 for AC, which dropped to 9-9 and a second-place tie in the Region XIV South Zone.
Fortunately for the ‘Runners, Lee College knocked off Jacksonville 104-103 in double overtime, meaning AC and the Jaguars will enter Saturday's regular-season finale with identical records in conference play. The Roadrunners will host Tyler at Shands Gym, while the Jags host Lon Morris.
"I hate the cliché, but our destiny is in our own hands," AC head coach Todd Neighbors said after Wednesday's game. "I thought our guys definitely played well enough to win, and I think we showed when we're playing our game, we can play with anyone.
"If we see this team again on a neutral court, I like our chances."
Marsell Holden led the Ravens with 26, followed by Carrington Tankson with 22. Holden and Tankson combined for seven of San Jacinto's 11 three pointers in the game.
In a game that featured nine ties and eleven lead changes, neither team could build more than a six-point cushion over its opponent. The first half ended with the Roadrunners leading 40-39 after a Holmes bucket with ten seconds to play.
AC didn't buckle in the second half, matching the Ravens scoring run for scoring run. Not until just 2:44 remained in the game was San Jac able to pull away on six straight free throws from Holden and Tankson.
The Roadrunners will host Tyler Saturday at 4 p.m. The game will feature audio/video broadcasting on www.angelina.edu. Listeners can click on the "Athletics" link for the web cast.
Lady Roadrunners 70, San Jacinto 46
Tiara George led the Lady ‘Runners with 15 points, followed by Marcy Robinson with 14, Tyeka Ranton with 13 and Donia Naylor with eight.
AC will host Tyler's Lady Apaches Saturday at 2 p.m. at Shands Gym in the regular-season finale.
