Rangers end losing streak
JUNIOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

A five-game losing streak behind them, the Kilgore College Runnin' Rangers hope to turn a buzzer-beating win into a streak that could carry them into the Region XIV Conference tournament.

The Rangers ended that fivegame skid Saturday afternoon with a 90-88 overtime win at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, getting a three-point heroic shot from Rosharon native Brandon Roberson with less than a second left to escape from LMC with the victory.

KC's men, coached by Scott Schumacher, are now 11-8 overall, but just 3-8 in conference play. But the Rangers still have 11 games left in the regular season - that could be plenty of time to work themselves back into tournament contention. The tournament this year will be here at Masters Gymnasium, and begins March 8.

The Lady Rangers lost at Lon Morris on Saturday, 66-60, and also hope to change their fortunes soon. Both KC teams host Blinn on Wednesday night, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the women's game.

• KC 90, LMC 88, OT (men): Roberson's shot might have been the shot that turns around the Runnin' Rangers' season. It was certainly disappointing to LMC, normally one of the conference's powers, but winless - 0-11 - in conference so far.

Ridge McKeither led KC with 29 points and had a big game on the boards, pulling down 19 rebounds. Roberson scored 17, and James Graham had nine. Eugene Davis led LMC with 19.

KC had to mount a comeback in the last three minutes - the Rangers trailed by 10, 76-66, but rallied to force the OT session. It was the first win for the Rangers since they defeated Trinity Valley here on Jan. 5.

• LMC 66, KC 60 (women): As the KC men's basketball team ended its losing streak, the Lady Rangers saw theirs continue.

KC has now lost four straight, dating back to Jan. 9 and a win at home over San Jacinto. KC's Lady Rangers are 9-8 overall, 3- 6 in conference play and have nine games left to right the ship. The women's conference tournament is also here the weekend of March 8.

Denetra Kellum led KC with 16 points. Nakazi Glover had 15. Sherrell Satterfield led LMC with 18 points.

KC trailed 29-20 at the half.