by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Iowa Western broke open a tight defensive battle late in the first half on the way to a 77-54 win over Kansas City Kansas Community College Tuesday night in Council Bluffs.
The win was the ninth in a row for the Reivers (9-1), a perennial NJCAA Division I powerhouse while KCKCC fell to 2-7 heading into a home game with Ottawa University junior varsity Saturday at 4 p.m.
The Blue Devils held a 9-8 lead with 10:30 left in the first half only to have Iowa Western score the next 10 points and finish the half on 30-7 run and lead 35-16 at the break.
Rebound domination was a big factor as the Reivers gave up only one offensive rebound in controlling the boards 25-12.
Iowa Western also was 14-of-33 from the field for 42.4 percent while limiting KCKCC to six field goals in 24 attempts for 25 percent.
The Blue Devils battled back in the second half. Outscored just 42-38, the Blue Devils forced 11 turnovers and shot 37.5 percent.
The 77 points equaled the fewest scored by Iowa Western this season. Shooting 50 percent from the field, the Reivers came into the game averaging 93 points per game.
Calvin Slaughter led KCKCC with 14 points and five rebounds. Kelyn Bolton added 10 points, Daiyon Taylor seven points and three assists; Cody Dortch six points on a pair of 3-pointers; and Andre Boykins five points. All are freshmen.