by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College used a well-balanced attack Monday for a 70-66 win over Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo.
The Blue Devils are right back in action Wednesday, as host of arch-rival Penn Valley at 7 p.m. The KCKCC women are also in action Wednesday, entertaining Southwestern of Creston, Iowa, at 5 p.m.
Five Blue Devils scored eight or more points in the win at Wentworth. Jon Murray led the way with 18 points while Kellen Turner added 16, Lane Hartley 10 and Garrick McCuller and Daniel Kingcannon 8 points each. Murray also led in rebounding with eight and McCuller added six as the Blue Devils won the battle of the boards 32-31,
KCKCC took a 33-29 lead at halftime in a fiercely fought contest that had six ties and 13 lead changes. The Blue Devils built their biggest lead of seven points with 14 minutes left and had a six-point lead with 46 seconds to go.
The Blue Devils did much of their damage inside, outscoring Wentworth 30-14 in the paint. Defensively, KCKCC also forced 12 Wentworth turnovers that led to 17 points.
“A good win,” KCKCC coach Kelley Newton said. “We played better. We’re 1-1 in the new year.”