by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Scoring has not been a problem for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s young men‘s basketball team. The Blue Devils are averaging 81.0 points a game.
Unfortunately, opponents are scoring more – an average of 4.8 points more a game including an 87-77 loss to Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, Friday night.
The Blue Devils actually had more field goals (29-26), more 3-point goals (12-9) and more rebounds (28-20) but got destroyed at the foul line. Converting 26-of-30 free throws for 86.7 percent, the Spartans outscored KCKCC by 19 points, the Blue Devils making 7-of-11 (.635).
Both teams shot extremely well. The Blue Devils were 29-of-54 for 53.7 percent and 12-of-29 from 3-point (.414) but the Spartans were slightly better, connecting on 26-of-48 (.542) from the field and 9-of-18 from 3-point.
Leading just 35-33 at halftime, Southwestern pulled away in the second half with a 52-point outburst. Five Spartans scored in double figures led by Donzell Johnson’s 18 points.
KCKCC also had five players in double figures led by a double-double by Robert Rhodes, who had 14 points and a game and career high 14 rebounds (half of KCKCC’s 28 rebounds).
Guard Deron McDaniel led the scoring with a career high 17 points including 5-of-9 3-pointers. Jalen Davis added 14 points, Cody Dortch and Ezekiel Lopes 10 apiece and Jermaine Yarbough 9.
The Blue Devils go right back on the road after Thanksgiving, playing in the Mineral Area Classic in Park Hills, Missouri, Nov. 29-30. KCKCC will play North Arkansas at 7 p.m. on Friday and Mineral Area Saturday at 3 p.m. before returning home to face Washburn junior varsity on Friday, Dec. 6.