by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College and Penn Valley staged a women’s basketball shootout for the ages Saturday.
When the bullets had stopped flying, the Lady Blue Devils had held on for a 105-101 overtime win on Penn Valley’s home court. The combined 206 points are the second most ever for a Blue Devil team, exceeded only by KCKCC’s epic 3-overtime 108-106 win at Independence in 1997.
The win boosted the Blue Devils’ record to 8-1 heading into a home contest with Ellsworth Community College of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Sunday at 2 p.m.
Eight Blue Devils scored eight or more points including six in double figures; two KCKCC starters had double-doubles and three other just missed; and KCKCC rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit in the roller coaster fray.
“This was one of the more exhausting games I have ever been part of,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “I am really proud of the girls for the amount of heart they showed today. They had plenty of opportunities to give up and they simply came together and won a tough game on the road.”
KCKCC led by seven points midway through the first quarter only to be buried by a bevy of turnovers and trail 56-43 at the half. The Blue Devils got back into the game with a 12-0 start to the third quarter.
Ahead by one entering the final quarter, the Blue Devils tied the game with 9.3 seconds left on a Kisi Young drive to the basket. Once in the lead in overtime, KCKCC got vital late free throws from Alix Wilson and Ashley Daniels to seal the win.
Nija Collier and Kisi Young had the double-doubles, Collier with 15 points and 17 rebounds; Young 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Miya Ford and Lillie Moore led the scoring with 19 points each and Caitlin Stewart added 12 and all three had eight rebounds each. Tee Martin with 12 points and Camryn Swanson with eight rounded out the scoring.
“There were so many performances and moments individually that stick out but the bottom line is we had contributions from all over the pace and that’s what makes this team so fun to be around,” McKinstry said. “An ugly win but a win none the less. We had far too many turnovers (35) again and we have to be more disciplined on the defensive end.
“But this group has had nine games in 18 days so we have had minimal practice time,” he said. “That is 100 percent my fault and for this young group to be 8-1 through that stretch says a lot about their fight and determination. As I said, this a very fun group to be around.”