KCKCC women use 40-7 surge to record third straight 20-win season

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Leading 19-18 midway through the second quarter, Kansas City Kansas Community exploded on a 40-7 rampage over an 8-minute span on the way to a 77-45 women’s win over Fort Scott Saturday.

The win, the Blue Devils’ fourth straight, was the 20th in 22 starts – the third consecutive season the KCKCC women have posted 20-win seasons.

Right back on the road Sunday for their final non-conference game of the season against William Penn JV in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and No. 8 ranked Blue Devils return home to host Hesston Wednesday at 5 p.m. and No. 7 ranked Highland Saturday at 2 p.m.

The two teams were tied twice and exchanged leads twice before the Lady Blue Devils put together one of their best runs of the year against Fort Scott. KCKCC first expanded the 19-18 lead to 30-23, then held the Grayhounds scoreless the final 4:18 of the half while building a 45-23 halftime lead. The surge continued in the first four minutes of the second half, the Blue Devils running off a 15-2 run to build their biggest lead at 60-35.

“We got a little complacent after jumping out to an early lead but the second quarter and the beginning of the third quarter was some of the best basketball we’ve played all year,” said KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry. “I was very pleased with our defensive effort. It’s something we’ve stressed in practice and I think we are starting to grasp the concept of what we are trying to do on the defensive end of the floor. Sierra Roberts, Erin Anderson and Aricca Daye really set the tone with their defense on the perimeter by combining for 10 steals.”

Roberts and Anderson also were the catalysts offensively. Each had 12 points the opening half and together they combined for nine 3-point goals. Roberts had five treys in a 20-point performance, Anderson four while scoring 18.

“It was great to see Sierra knock down shots,” McKinstry said. “Our execution was very good and when you execute and share the ball, shots have a better chance of falling.”

Cheyenne North added 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks while Brooklyn Wagler added 8 points; Day 6 assists and 5 points; and Brie Tauai 7 rebounds and 5 points. Defensively, the Blue Devils forced 20 turnovers; dominated the rebounding 48-36; and limited Fort Scott to just 13 field goals and 25 percent shooting.

Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.