by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kellen Turner’s finest performance at Kansas City Kansas Community College wasn’t enough to hold off On Point Hoops Academy Saturday.
Turner had a career high 33 points in a spectacular shooting effort only to have On Point use 60.9 percent shooting in the second half to pull away for an 86-76 win. It was KCKCC’s first game since Dec. 10.
The Blue Devils are right back in action tonight when they play Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo., and then return home Wednesday to host arch-rival Penn Valley at 7 p.m. The 11th ranked KCKCC women also return to action Wednesday, entertaining Southwestern of Creston, Iowa, at 5 p.m.
Turner missed just three of 29 shots including 6-of-7 three-pointers and 11 consecutive free throws without a miss. He also had a game high eight assists and five rebounds. Lane Hartley added 14 points including 4-of-6 three-pointers and 6-9 Donald Metoyer of Washington had one of his biggest nights with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Moved into the point guard position, Turner scored 21 points in leading KCKCC to a 45-30 lead only to have On Point finish the half with a 17-2 run that forced a 47-47 halftime deadlock.
However, On Point countered with 6-5 Tervell Beck, who led all scorers with 35 points including 6-of-8 from three-point. Beck also led all rebounders with 11 as On Point won the rebounding battle 33-25.
Both teams shot at a torrid pace in the 47-47 first half, KCKCC hitting 58.3 percent (14-of-24) and On Point .515. However, On Point was 14-of-23 for 60.9 percent the second half to .407 for the Blue Devils. Both teams also shot well from 3-point, KCKCC 10-of-15 for 66.7 percent; On Point 12-of-24 for 50 percent.