by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
A career night by sophomore Jon Murray wasn’t enough to prevent Saint Mary JV from holding off a late Kansas City Kansas Community College rally for an 84-81 win Wednesday night.
Six straight free throws in the closing seconds by Garrett Beecher enabled the Spires to hold on 84-81 after a clutch three-pointer by freshman Lane Hartley got the Blue Devils to within one possession. The game was the opener for KCKCC, which trailed 37-29 at halftime before a 52-point second half.
The Blue Devils now go on a demanding early season road trip, playing Garden City Friday at 8 p.m. and Northeast Colorado Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Garden City Invitational. KCKCC is also at North Arkansas next Tuesday before returning home for the annual Keith Lindsey Classic Nov. 11-12.
A 6-9 center from Macon, Mo., Murray drained 11 of 14 shots in a 28-point scoring outburst and led all rebounders with 17, both career highs.
Sophomores Mike Lee and Garrick McCuller added 15 points each and Hartley nine, all on three-pointers. Lee was 5-of-8 from the field and added seven rebounds and five assists; McCuller 7-of-11 with five rebounds and four assists.
The Blue Devils shot well, hitting 32-of-64 shots for 50 percent, and dominated the rebounding 41-29. But they were also guilty of 17 turnovers and gave up 13 three-pointers. Titus Reid had 26 points and Beecher 23 to lead four Spires in double figures.