KCKCC falls to Penn Valley, 87-56; Jayhawk play begins Saturday

KCKCC sophomore Kellen Turner maneuvered past three Penn Valley defenders for a layup Wednesday. Turner led the Blue Devils with 17 points but Penn Valley emerged with an 87-56 win, (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Penn Valley had a little too much in every category as the Scouts raced to an 87-56 win over Kansas City Kansas Community College Wednesday.

The win was the 11th in 15 starts for Coach Marcus Harvey’s Scouts while the Blue Devils fell to 3-12 heading into opening Jayhawk Conference action at Hesston Saturday. KCKCC then returns home next week against Washburn JV Wednesday and Brown Mackie Saturday.

Led by James Byrd’s 18 points and 16 from Malik Barnett, Penn Valley had six players score nine or more points and two double digit rebounders – Austin Johnson (11 with 13 points) and Joseph Mebaley (10 with 9 points). The Scouts dominated the rebounding 52-31 and also used a pressing defense to force 21 turnovers, several of which were converted into field goals.

Kellen Turner led KCKCC with 17 points while Artavious Banks added 11 on 5-of-6 field goal shooting. However, the Blue Devils were just 1-of-12 from three-point range the first half and fell behind 41-27 at the break. Donald Metoyer led rebounding with six; Garrick McCuller led in assists with five.