ATHENS — While it was Leon Spencer's Day at Trinity Valley Community College on Saturday, it certainly wasn't TJC's.
On a day when Leon Spencer Court at Cardinal Gym was dedicated, TVCC swept Tyler Junior College in a Regional XIV basketball doubleheader.
In the men's game, the Cardinals held off an Apache rally for a 64-57 victory.
In the first game, the No. 2 ranked Lady Cardinals won their 41st straight home game, an 86-45 decision over the Apache Ladies.
Men
After winning nine straight the Apaches have dropped two straight grind-it-out road games to fall to 18-6 and 9-5 in league play. TVCC improves to 16-9 and 7-7.
TJC trailed for much of the game before pulling within 60-57 when Todd Eaglin hit a trey with 36.6 seconds remaining.
However, TVCC's Karon Phillips hit four straight free throws to close out the game.
"I thought we took too many jump shots in the first half by guys who normally don't take those shots," said TJC coach Mike Marquis, whose club trailed 33-21 at halftime. "I thought we battled back well."
Marquis said he was happy the Apaches are off Wednesday "after three emotional games with rivals (Navarro, Trinity Valley and Kilgore)."
Guard Tyler Corley led Trinity Valley with 17 points, including five 3-pointers.
DeAndre Harris paced Tyler with 17 points.
TJC was 14 of 19 from the free throw line, while TVCC was 15 of 27.
Women
The Lady Cardinals (24-1, 11-0) used a 24-6 run in the final six minutes of the first half to salt the game away as they took a 40-17 halftime lead.
Five TVCC players scored in double figures, led by 20 points from Shannon Smith. Other top scorers were Adut Bulgak (15), former Neches star Roddricka Patton (13), Victoria Wells (11) and Savannah Carter (11).
Wells added 14 rebounds.
TJC (10-14, 3-8) were paced by Shernise Robertson and Bria Emanuel, who each hit 13 points.
Kim Munoz had 13 rebounds, while Sierra Henry and Carolina Lopez had eight boards apiece.
The Apache Ladies were hurt by the Lady Cardinal pressure as they committed 34 turnovers. TVCC had 16 miscues.
TJC was also 0 of 8 from 3-point land, while Trinity Valley was 5 of 23.
During the game, TJC coach Trenia Jones "took a charge" when Smith, going for a loose ball, crashed into Jones on the sideline. No one was hurt and Jones, a former standout at SFA, came up smiling as Smith helped her to her feet.
SMOKE SIGNALS: The Apache Ladies return to play on Wednesday, hosting Angelina at 5:30 p.m. at Wagstaff Gymnasium. … The Apaches' next game is Feb. 16, hosting Panola at 4 p.m. ... In other women's games on Saturday: Angelina 62, San Jacinto 45; Panola 61, Kilgore 58; Blinn 71, Paris 48; and Jacksonville 95, Dallas Diesel 76. ... In men's games: San Jacinto 89, Lamar State 85; Navarro 74, Paris 74, OT; Angelina 68, Coastal Bend 60; Jacksonville 72, Blinn. 69; and Kilgore 73, Panola 60, OT.
———
Women
No. 2 Trinity Valley 86, Tyler 45
TYLER — Kim Munoz, 6; Shernise Robertson, 13; Blayke Hemmitt, 0; Sierra Henry, 5; Carolina Lopez, 4; Raiosha Preston, 0; Adrienne Phillips, 4; Bria Emanuel, 13.
TRINITY VALLEY — Victoria Wells, 11; Adut Bulgak, 15; Krystle Henderson, 8; Roddricka Patton, 13; Shannon Smith 20; Julianne Anchling, 0; Kyhonta Doughty, 8; Dominique Brooks, 0; Savannah Carter, 11.
THREE POINT GOALS — TJC: none. TVCC: Henderson, Patton (3), Smith.
HALFTIME — TVCC 40-17.
RECORDS — Tyler 10-14 (3-8), Trinity Valley 24-1 (11-0).
NEXT UP — Angelina at Tyler, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; Trinity Valley at Kilgore, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
———
Men
Trinity Valley 64, Tyler 57
TYLER — Trevor Berkeley,; 3; Todd Eaglin, 6; John Alexander, 6; Anthony Odunsi, 9; Chaz Samuel, 0; DeAndre Harris, 17; Sharife Sargeant, 7; Ta'Jon Welcome, 0; Winslo Barry, 0; Dale Jones, 2; Daniel Edozie, 7.
TRINITY VALLEY — Octavius Ellis, 6; Karon Phillips, 8; Jhaustin Thomas, 4; Tyler Corley, 17; Carl Porter, 9; Josh Gentry, 5; Tramain Parker, 9; Tim Allen, 2; Dominique Elliott, 4.
THREE POINT GOALS — TJC: Odunsi, Eaglin (2), Harris (4). TVCC: Gentry, Parker (3)' Corley (5).
HALFTIME — TVCC 33-21.
RECORDS — Tyler 18-6 (9-5), Trinity Valley 16-9 (7-7).
NEXT UP — Panola at Tyler, 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16; Trinity Valley at Kilgore, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.