The fifth-ranked Lady Cardinals turned in a championship-caliber performance on the road Wednesday night, racing past third-ranked Blinn for a 91-73 Region XIV Conference win.
With their eighth straight win, the Lady Cardinals, 27-2 on the year, moved into a position to win/share their 30th conference title in 32 years. A win Saturday at home against Coastal Bend at 2 p.m. would do just that. The Lady Cardinals are 14-1 in conference action.
Blinn, an 81-76 overtime winner against the Lady Cardinals in the first meeting at Cardinal Gym, is also 27-2 and 14-1. Blinn travels Saturday to Tyler to face the defending NJCAA champion Apache Ladies.
"We played hard from start to finish," said Lady Cardinal coach Precious Ivy. "It was a great team effort.
"We knew the game plan and executed the game plan. That was the difference."
The Lady Cardinals took control of the game and never let go. They led 23-16 after one quarter, 48-27 at the half and 63-49 after three quarters.
Briana Peguero poured in 22 points to lead the Lady Cardinals.
Also scoring in double figures were Ashanti Barnes with 15, Abby Cater 12 and Emani Jenkins 10. Cater and Barnes also had 14 and 13 rebounds, respectivley.
The Region XIV Tournament is scheduled March 8-11 at Wagstaff Gymnasium in Tyler. The Lady Cardinals will either be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
