Kansas City Kansas Community College landed an early season haymaker Tuesday, dealing No. 5 ranked Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) a 75-73 overtime upset on the Bears’ home court in Boone, Iowa.
Bryce Johnson’s layup with four seconds left won it for the Blue Devils, who evened their record at 3-3. The defending NJCAA Division II national champion, DMACC fell to 5-2. KCKCC will compete in the West Plains Classic this weekend, facing North Arkansas Friday at 6 p.m. and host Missouri State-West Plains Saturday at 8 p.m.
KCKCC never trailed in overtime at DMACC and led 70-68 with 1:40 left and 73-71 before the Bears pulled even at 73 with 18 seconds remaining. The Blue Devils forced overtime 66-66 on Shayon Janloo’s field goal with 28 seconds left.
A 6-6 freshman from Lawrence, Johnson came off the bench to lead the Blue Devils with game highs of 23 points and 8 rebounds while 6-3 guard Bradley Lightbourne of Nassau, Bahama, added 19 points and 5 rebounds and St. Louis guard Caleb Jones 11 points and 5 rebounds. Raytown’s Cortez Howlett led in assists with four.
The Blue Devils built a 34-27 lead at halftime and twice led by 10 points before the Bears pulled even 61-61 with 2:10 left and went ahead 66-64 on a pair of free throws with 1:01 before KCKCC pulled even 66-66 on Janloo’s basket with 28 seconds left.
KCKCC converted 27-of-55 shots for a season best 49.3 percent and controlled the rebounding 38-26. Both teams had 17 turnovers while the Bears were 45.6 percent from the field.
The Blue Devils don’t return home until Dec. 2 when they entertain North Arkansas while the No. 7 ranked KCKCC women (6-0) are home for two games this weekend, as hosts of Illinois Central Friday at 6 p.m. and Iowa Western Saturday at 2 p.m.