by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
Just a year ago on Feb. 25, the Kansas City Kansas Community College men’s basketball team set off on an eight-game winning streak culminated by Jayhawk Conference and Region VI championships.
This year after a 2-5 start, the Blue Devils will take a five-game winning streak into conference play after a 69-67 win over North Central Missouri Tuesday night.
The win not only lifted the Blue Devils’ record to 7-5 but avenged an earlier 118-115 double overtime loss to the No. 17 ranked Pirates in the season opener for both teams.
It also set up a Saturday afternoon clash with No. 6-ranked Johnson County in Overland Park. Women’s action begins at 2 p.m., the men at 4 p.m. with both games streamed on the JCCC athletic website.
Leading by as many as 12 points midway through the second half, the Blue Devils never trailed the final 20 minutes but it took a rash of key plays to hold off the Pirates.
Robert Rhodes grabbed an offensive rebound and fed Deron McDaniel for a huge 3-pointer and then made two vital free throws to maintain a 4-point lead;
Jermaine Yarbough swatted away a shot attempt in the final minute; and DeAngelo Bell converted two free throws with 23 seconds left for what proved to be the difference.
“The guys stepped up at the right moments; a great effort all the way around,” KCKCC coach Brandon Burgette said. “We take pride in defending and we did that tonight. We have to clean up some things collectively to be better down the stretch and executing but over all our game plan was great – a great job in detail of doing what it takes to win. This gives us great momentum going into conference play.”
McDaniel led the way for KCKCC, knocking down four treys and scoring 16 points; grabbing seven rebounds and dealing out a game high six assists. Caleb Jones had yet another double with 12 points and 11 rebounds; Trey Bates scored 10 points, Shaylon Janloo 9, Yarbough 8 and Bell 6.
The Blue Devils led 69-60 with 7½ minutes left only to have the Pirates close to 62-60 and it took a McDaniel 3-pointer to slow the comeback with 2:52 remaining. Two free throws each by Rhodes and Bell put the Blue Devils in front 69-63 with 23 seconds left before nearly self-destructing.
A technical foul after a Pirate layup cut the KCKCC lead to 69-67 and two missed free throws opened the door for a last-ditch game-tying shot that missed as time ran out.