Blue Lights let a double-digit lead slip through its fingers and wound up on the short end of a disappointing 96-94 score at Vance-Granville CC Saturday afternoon in Henderson.
The Lights looked to be in charge in the first half, leading by as many as 14 points before the Vanguards used a late run to trim the margin to 49-41 at the break. in the second half, VGCC adjusted to a drive-first offensive scheme which got them to the foul line 21 times to only 13 for the Thoroughbreds. As a result of that and what some considered tight officiating, Domo Hunter fouled out, and Richard Campbell, Mike Maxwell, Victor Ngong, and Zach Haney were each called for four fouls, while only two Vanguards were whistled more than twice.
BLC (8-7) had one final opportunity to claim the win. With less than 10 seconds to play and the Herd down by one, the Thoroughbreds' defense would not allow Vance-Granville to get the ball inbounded in time, forcing a turnover. Once in play, sophomore Jorge Garcia had a shot for three, but it was off. VGCC (4-13) hit one free throw with 0.3 seconds left for the final margin.
Garcia led all scorers with 26 points, 18 from long range. Campbell closed with 21, and Maxwell added 15. Quavion Bashden led VGCC with 25.
Blue Lights takes on its third NJCAA Region X opponent in a row when it travels to Central Carolina CC Tuesday night at 7:00 pm in Sanford. CCCC took a 132-97 win when the teams met in November.
