by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Leading just 46-44, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Blue Devils put the hammer down in a 53-point second half in a 99-83 win at Labette Saturday.
The win boosted the Blue Devils to 2-1 in Jayhawk Conference play and 14-7 overall heading into a key road contest at Brown Mackie in Salina Wednesday at 8 p.m. KCKCC then returns home for three straight Jayhawk contests starting with Fort Scott Saturday at 4 p.m. followed by Hesston Feb. 3 and Highland Feb. 6.
Sharp-shooting by Joe Lendway, Xaviar Gaona and Lashawn Lewis led the way at Labette. Combined the trio was 24 of 31 for a sizzling 77.4 percent. Lendway led with a season high 30 points on 12 of 16 shots; Ganoa was 7 of 9 for 16 points; and Lewis 5 of 6 in a 13-point effort. Dehaven Talley added 12 points including 4 of 8 three-pointers while Jonathan Murray chipped in with nine points, Mike Lee seven and Kellan Turner and Armoni Shorter six each. Lendway also led in rebounding with six although Labette had a 33-26 advantage on the boards.
The Blue Devils had one of their best shooting nights of the year. Despite leading only 46-44 in a game had that six ties and two lead changes, KCKCC was 24 of 36 for 66.7 percent the opening half and finished with 62.3 percent. Labette also was 24 of 36 the first half but managed only 14 of 34 second half shots (.412).
The key to KCKCC’s hot-shooting came in the assist column – 27 Blue Devil assists on 38 goals.
Ganoa led in assists with six while Talley and Lee contributed five each.
“We did a good job of keeping our head up and advancing the ball up the floor which led to a lot of easy baskets,” coach Kelley Newton said. “A very good team effort; great to see us score a lot of points. Now the question is can we be consistent our remaining nine conference and regional games.”
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director for KCKCC.