In a tight defensive struggle, Kilgore College forwards blocked five close-in shots in the final five minutes and swatted away an upset bid by Lamar State Port Arthur, 59-56.

In all, the big men for the 9-4 Rangers were credited with 8 blocked shots in Saturday afternoon's NJCAA Division I game at Masters Gymnasium.

The Seahawks, now 4-10, return to the court at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at home in Port Arthur's Parker Center. They host Tyler Junior College in making up a game postponed by the Valentine's Week ice storm.

Saturday, Kanntrell Burney led LSCPA with 20 points scored. Forward Joe Lucien had his fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Kobi Johnson added 10 points.

LSCPA needed just 4:24 to take the biggest lead by either team at 10-2 but the Rangers countered with a 13-4 run for the second of the game's 10 lead changes.

The Seahawks trailed by 6, 49-43, before taking a 54-52 lead with 3:40 remaining.

Burney had two layups blocked and Ty Archibald and Johnson each had one swatted away near the end.

Trailing 58-56 with 9 seconds to go, Burney attacked the basket again. Paul Otiene, a 6-8 freshman, swooped in and rejected the shot.

After a Kilgore free throw, Burney's last-second 3-point try clanged off the iron but not through.