ATHENS — Trinity Valley Community College’s second-half pressure defense proved to be the turning point in the contest in a 73-50 victory over Tyler Junior College in a Region XIV conference contest at Cardinal Gym on Saturday.

The Apaches led at halftime 32-30 thanks to an alley-oop pass from Dominique Shaw to high-rising Faith Pope at the buzzer.

TVCC (24-3, 13-2 Region XIV) turned the pressure defense up in the early moments of the second half, forcing numerous Tyler turnovers that led to easy baskets. The Cardinals outscored Tyler 17-6 in the opening seven minutes of the second half.

Sheldon Hagigal scored nine points and backcourt mate Dedrick Basile added five for the Cardinals for a 47-38 advantage.

The Apaches closed the gap to eight points on a Tyler Miller free throw at the 12:56 mark but that was as close as they’d come.

Tyler played a good first half as Pope led the way in scoring with eight points and Miller coming off the bench scored seven in the opening half.

“We really played good in the first half by patiently working and sharing the ball,” TJC coach Marquis said.

The second half was a different story as TVCC guards Basile and Hagigal each scored 12 points. Hagigal led the Cardinals in scoring with a game-high 17 points and on the boards with six. Basile contributed 14 points.

Pope and Miller led TJC in scoring with 11 points apiece. Dale Jones had seven rebounds and Ike Okwarabizie contributed six boards for the Apaches.

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Trinity Valley 73, Tyler 50

TYLER — Dominique Shaw, 3; Faith Pope, 11; Ronnie Stacy, 4; Dale Jones, 2; Ike Okwarabizie, 7; John Paul, 3; Tyler Miller, 11; Levi Yancy, 6; Cohen Desouza, 3; Darryl Stewart, 0; Stephen Taylor, 0; Jeremy Adams, 0; Jacob Socha, 0.

TRINITY VALLEY — Nich Brown, 2; Preston Anderson, 7; Sheldon Hagigal, 17; Dedrick Basile, 14; Devante Jackson, 2; Clarence Williams, 10; Jhaustin Thomas, 9; Dilepso Blanco, 2; Aldonis Foote, 10; Jerry Luckett, 0.

HALF-TIME SCORE — 32-30 Tyler

THREE POINT GOALS — TVCC: Anderson (2), Basile (2), Hagigal (3).

RECORDS — Tyler 18-8 (8-8); TVCC 24-3 (13-2).