by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Smarting from their first loss of the season, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Lady Blue Devils responded with a very workmanlike 90-75 win over Allen County in Iola Tuesday.
The win boosted the Blue Devils’ record to 8-1 heading into a road re-match with North Central Missouri next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Home Nov. 29 against William Penn junior varsity, the Blue Devils return to the road for three straight before a Dec. 11 re-match with Metropolitan Community College, the team that dealt KCKCC its lone setback 79-74 on Saturday.
Facing an NJCAA Division I opponent for the first time this season, the Blue Devils shot 52.2 percent from the field and controlled the rebounding 43-35 in building a 50-43 halftime lead.
“I was very pleased with how our group responded after a disappointing effort this past Saturday,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “Although Allen County’s record (2-6) may not be great, they’ve played a lot of close games against some good opponents. So for us to go into their gym and come away with a W is big for us.”
Five Blue Devils scored in double figures led by another double-double by Nija Collier, who scored 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting and pulled down a game high 12 rebounds.
Lillie Moore added 14 points, Kisi Young 13, Lenaejha Evans 12, Camryn Swanson 10 and Caroline Hoppock 7. Young was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, Moore 6-of-11 and both added five rebounds. Moore also blocked three shots and Lexy Watts led in assists with three.
“In the first half, we made six 3-point shots (three by Swanson) and were able to pull Allen out of its zone defense,” McKinstry said. “Then in the second half, we worked through our forwards and they did a great job of making plays around the rim. Nija, Lillie and Kisi were a combined 22-of-31 shots (70.6 percent) with Nija taking two jump shots, the rest from around the basket. Allen has a lot of athleticism and length so far us to win the rebounding edge and score like that around the rim, I was very happy.”