By ALAN HOSKINS
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Kansas City Kansas Community College’s promising women’s basketball team passed its first road test Saturday, overcoming a rash of early fouls for an 86-62 win over North Central Missouri University in Trenton.
With four starters on the bench much of the first half with two fouls each, the Lady Blue Devils led just 32-26 before putting up 54 second half points.
“We had a big second half,” said KCKCC Coach Valerie Stambersky. “Cierra Gaines took control with13 of her 16 points in the second half; Rashaun Casey and Ky’Ana French hit back-to-back three-pointers; and Julia Garrard did a very good job on the boards. It wasn’t all pretty but it was a good road win.”
Casey led the Blue Devils with 17 points while Gaines added 16, Erin Anderson 13, Cassidy Harbert 11 and French 9. Harbert also had seven assists and six steals and Janai Mitchell four steals as the Blue Devils had 24 steals while forcing 33 turnovers. Garrard led the rebounding with seven.
Now 2-0, the Blue Devils are back home this week for their biggest early season tests when they host the annual Keith Lindsey Classic.
KCKCC will play Ellsworth Friday at 6 p.m. and Penn Valley Saturday at 4 p.m. In the other half of women’s play, Fort Scott will play Penn Valley Friday at 2 p.m. and Ellsworth Saturday at noon.
In men’s play, KCKCC will play On Point Academy Friday at 8 p.m. and the St. Louis Archers Saturday at 6 p.m. while Highland will play St. Louis Friday at 4 p.m. and On Point Saturday at 2 p.m.
