by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
While a big second half rally fell three points short in an 87-84 loss at North Arkansas Community College Wednesday, the comeback could take a pivotal place in Kansas City Kansas Community College’s basketball season.
Guards Dion Union and Sterling Hicks and forward DuVonte Beard combined for 34 points in the second half in a 46-39 Blue Devil rally. The trio was 15 of 23 in the final 20 minutes for 65.2 percent.
The loss evened the Blue Devils’ record at 3-3 heading into Friday’s 7 p.m. home game against Saint Mary junior varsity. The Blue Devils are also home Tuesday against Iowa Western at 7:30 p.m.
“Games like this will pay off in the long run,” KCKCC coach Kelley Newton said. “We are so close to turning the corner. We have a young team and have to grow up soon but I’m proud that our guys don’t quit.”
Union led all scorers with 20 points, 12 in the second half; Beard had 13 of his 16 points in the final period and Hicks 9 of his 15. The Blue Devils would not have been in contention the second half, however, had it not been for Josiah Laws, a 6-5 sophomore forward who had 14 points in the first half. Union also had a half-dozen assists while Beard had five rebounds and Zion Buckner, Malcolm Tate and Ro Ratliff four each.
North Ark built a 48-38 halftime on 60 percent shooting (15-of-25) to just 13-of-32 for KCKCC (.375). The Pioneers also had a 21-17 edge on the boards the opening half.