by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Fueled by a barrage of three-point goals, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s men roared from behind for a 78-63 opening Jayhawk Conference win at Hesston Tuesday,
The second win in four starts in 2017, the Blue Devils are right back in action tonight as they play host to Washburn’s JV at 7:30 p.m. followed by their conference home opener against Brown Mackie Saturday at 4 p.m. The KCKCC women will also play both days at 5:30 and 2 p.m.
Sophomore guard Kellen Turner continued his hot shooting, leading four Blue Devils in double figures with 26 points. Turner, who was 4-of-7 from 3-point and 8-of-14 for the game, has now scored 92 points in KCKCC’s first four games of 2017, an average of 23.0 per game.
Mike Lee added 15 points and four assists in his first game of the new year while Lane Hartley and Daniel Kingcannon chipped in with 11 points each. Jon Murray led rebounding with nine and scored seven points.
Taking advantage of chilly KCKCC shooting, Hesston opened a 22-15 lead with nine minutes left in the half before the Blue Devils charged from behind with one of their all-time best three-point shooting efforts. During a 10-minute span, the Blue Devils were seven of nine from long range. Turner had three, Lee and Kingcannon two each as they propelled KCKCC to a 38-32 halftime lead.
Turner and Lee each finished with four three-pointers, Hartley and Kingcannon three each as the Blue Devils were 10-of-16 the first half (.625) and 14-of-23 (.609) for the game.
“A great team effort, especially in the second half when the defense was outstanding” said KCKCC coach Kelley Newton. “It was really nice to have Mike Lee back in the lineup. I was especially pleased with our composure and patience but at the same time we were aggressive. Very happy to get the win and looking forward to the next one.”
KCKCC had just six turnovers in the game and limited the Larks to just 31.4 percent shooting in the second half in building a lead of 22 points.