CORSICANA — Jaron Johnson scored 15 points but the Tyler Junior College offense went cold in the second half on Saturday as the Apaches fell to Navarro College, 57-44, at the K. and Ida Wolens Special Events Center.
The Apaches (15-9, 8-7) were held to five field goals in the second half and the Bulldogs went on an 8-0 midway thought the second half to gain momentum.
Navarro led 42-40 when it took over the game with 8:39 left. Amos Olatayo made a leaner for a four-point lead and then forced a turnover at the other end. He came down and swished a 3-pointer for a 47-40 lead with 7:01 left in the game.
After the teams traded empty possessions, Harrison Hawkins forced a steal at midcourt for Navarro and scored, got fouled and made the free throw for a 50-40 lead with 5:59 left in the game.
It was a huge turnaround as Navarro (18-8, 10-5) had trailed for most of the game and hadn’t led by more than seven points before the decisive run.
The Apaches began the game with an 8-0 run.
The Bulldogs went ahead briefly on a 3-pointer by Dominique Raney and a layup from Hyjii Thomas for a 23-19 lead with 2:11 left in the half.
Tyler responded with an 8-1 run capped by a drive by Trent Washington for a 27-24 lead with 19.2 seconds left in the first half.
Navarro tied the game at 27-27 at halftime as Princeton Onwas made his first free throw with less than one second left, but missed the second. Thomas rebounded the ball and scored on a slam dunk.
The Bulldogs built a 41-34 lead highlighted by a 3-pointer by DeShone McClure and a dunk by Olatayo, who had missed one earlier in the game.
Navarro then used another run after Tyler had pulled within 42-40 on a free throw by Ta’Jon Welcome.
Hershey Robinson and Chris Coleman each scored eight points for TJC.
The Apaches return home for a Wednesday game against Bossier Parish. The contest has a 7:30 p.m. start at Wagstaff Gymnasium.
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Navarro 57, Tyler 44
TYLER —Jaron Johnson 15, Trent Washington 5, Tyler Brunson 4, Hershey Robinson 8, Kameron LaTouche 3, Chris Coleman 8, Ta’Jon Welcome 1.
NAVARRO — Hyjii Thomas 6, Harrison Hawkins 5, Keith Smith 4, Princeton Onwas 5, Amos Olatayo 14, DeShone McClure 8, Dominique Raney 4, James Thomas 7, Demarco Henry 2, Tank Mayberry 2.
HALFTIME – Tyler 27, Navarro 27.
RECORDS — Tyler 15-9 (8-7); Navarro 18-8 (10-5).