Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Lady Blue Devils improve to perfect 7-0, Allen trips men

By ALAN HOSKINS

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Kansas City Kansas Community College’s unbeaten women made it seven in a row with an 81-46 win over Allen County Tuesday night but the Blue Devil men were not so fortunate, dropping a 79-53 decision.

The Lady Blue Devils now go on the road for the first time as both KCKCC teams will compete Friday and Saturday in the Dale Howard Classic in Ellsworth, Iowa. Both teams will play North Iowa Friday afternoon and Ellsworth Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Blue Devils went over the 80-point mark for the fourth straight time and fifth time this season but it was the defense that broke the game open. Allen jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the first five minutes but managed only one field goal over the next 10 minutes as the Blue Devils went on a 26-3 run to take a 29-12 lead and cruise the rest of the way.

Rashaun Casey scored a career high 20 points to lead four Blue Devils in double figures. Imani White added 11 points including three 3-pointers and Samantha Hurst and Cassidy Harbert 10 each for KCKCC. Bailey West led all rebounders with 10 along with six points while Harbert had seven rebounds and seven assists, Casey eight rebounds and Iland Shurn nine points and five rebounds.

Without a starter standing over 6-foot-3, the Blue Devil men (3-2) had no match for Allen’s 6-6 Raheem Tyner, who had game highs of 16 points and 15 rebounds. Lucas Smith led KCKCC with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Brandon Ward and Anthony Ridley chipped in with 10 points each.

Trailing 31-23 at the half, KCKCC got within four early in the second half only to have the Red Devils net 19 of 33 second half shots including 7 of 14 from long range. Allen also had a 42-36 rebound edge and forced 14 KCKCC turnovers while committing eight.