by Alan Hoskins
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Blue Devils put together one big comeback Saturday but couldn’t muster a second and dropped a 77-72 decision to Cowley College.
The Blue Devils, who had wiped out double digit deficits in come-from-behind wins over Brown Mackie and Penn Valley in their last two starts, erased a 13-point Cowley lead early in the second half to take a 52-50 lead with 12:25 remaining.
But the Tigers reeled off the next 14 points over the next four minutes for a 64-52 lead and Blue Devils could never get closer than the final 5-point deficit.
The loss dropped the Blue Devils to 11-5 heading into road contests at Hesston today at 8 p.m. and Coffeyville Wednesday before returning home for a doubleheader against Highland Saturday afternoon.
Lansing freshman Joe Lendway had a career high 31 points including 12 of 15 field goals and 7 of 9 free throws to lead the Blue Devils while Austin Hall had a double double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. LaShawn Lewis added nine points and five rebounds; Ray Ridley six points and five assists; and Babajide Aina seven assists and seven rebounds.
KCKCC took an early 14-6 lead in a first half that had 17 lead changes and three ties. Both teams were virtually even in rebounding and turnovers (15 each) but the Tigers were 10 of 26 from three-point to just 2 of 16 for the Blue Devils, who were outshot .435-.377.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director for KCKCC.