by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Victims of some hot early season shooting, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Blue Devils turned the tables Friday night.
Shooting a season best 56.6 percent from the field, the Blue Devils raced to a 76-58 win over Park University’s Developmental team in Parkville, Missouri.
However, it was the KCKCC defense that most impressed coach Kelley Newton.
“On the defensive end we got better,” Newton said. “We did a better job moving and communicating defensively. It’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
Indeed, the Blue Devils gave up just 19 field goals in 53 attempts, a 35.8 percentage. KCKCC was even better defensing the perimeter, allowing just 7 of 24 3-point attempts for 29.2 percent. The Blue Devils also forced 13 Park turnovers.
KCKCC (2-4) stays on the road Tuesday, playing at Allen County in a re-match of a home game this past Tuesday. The KCKCC women also play at Allen County Tuesday at 6 p.m. with the men’s game to follow. The Blue Devil men then get back home Saturday to host Southwestern Iowa in another re-match at 4 p.m.
A trio of Blue Devil freshmen led the hot shooting for KCKCC. Guard Jalen Davis was 5-of-7 from the field in scoring a game high 17 points while forward Jonathan Richmond and guard Kelyn Bolton were each 6-for-8 in 12-point performances.
Sophomore DuVonte’ Beard just missed a double-double with nine points and a game high nine rebounds while Cody Dortch added eight points, Daiyon Taylor six points and six rebounds and Calvin Slaughter five rebounds and four points as KCKCC dominated the rebounding 37-25.
Game-wise, there were 11 lead changes in the opening minutes and KCKCC trailed by as many as six points with 13 minutes left in the half before the Blue Devils surged to a 39-28 halftime lead by knocking down 16 of 26 shots for 61.5 percent.
Richmond led the early assault with four field goals. Davis had 14 of his 17 points in the second half as KCKCC shot 51.9 percent from the field.