By Benny Rogers/TVCC Sports Information
There’s a chance the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals will never again be invited back to Florida.
The Cardinals went 3-0 in the Pensacola Classic over the Thanksgiving break – all three wins against Florida panhandle schools, including defending NJCAA champion Northwest Florida State.
Fourth-year coach Kris Baumann’s Cardinals capped the perfect four-game road trip (including Tuesday’s win in Brenham against Blinn) with a 71-70 decision Saturday afternoon against Tallahassee. Trailing most of the game, the Cardinals pulled out the win when Leon Gilmore III hit a runner with 6.3 seconds left.
The Cardinals warmed up for the trip to The Sunshine State with an impressive 92-79 win against Blinn. The Cardinals dispatched of host Pensacola State, 78-67, and Northwest Florida State, 81-71, before taking down Tallahassee to complete the classic sweep.
Josh Stamps tossed in five three-pointers and had 21 points to lead the win against Blinn. Gilmore had 14, Josh Robinson 13, Stephen Edwards and Hyron Edwards 12 each and J.C. Washington 10 to also finish in double figures.
The Cardinals were up 46-36 at the half.
Stamps also had 21 against Pensacola State, again with five three-pointers. Gilmore netted 14 and Hyron Edwards 12.
Gilmore also nabbed 10 rebounds.
In the impressive win against defending national champion Northwest Florida State, Gilmore came up big with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He was 9-of-12 from the free throw line.
Hyron Edwards finished with 17 points. Washington had 14 points and Robinson 13.
The Cardinals owned a 42-36 halftime advantage.
After scoring 29 points in the opening half against Tallahassee, the Cardinals put up 42 in the second half to pull out the narrow in. Tallahassee led 32-29 at the half.
Stamps poured 24 points, including six three-pointers.
Also scoring in double figures were Gilmore with 15, Washington 12 and Hyron Edwards 10.
The Cardinals are scheduled to return to action at home Wednesday against San Jacinto. Game time is 7:30 p.m.