by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Sustaining a full 40 minutes continued to be a problem for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Blue Devils Wednesday as Independence pulled away in the second half for a 73-65 victory at Independence.
The win completed a sweep for Indy as the Lady Pirates posted a 71-45 win in the opener. The two teams stay on the road at Fort Scott Saturday at 2 and 4 p.m. before they return home Monday for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day doubleheader against Neosho County at 5 and 7 p.m. They’re also home Wednesday against Allen County before heading back on the road for four in a row.
The Blue Devils trailed on 32-29 at the half in the men’s game but couldn’t overcome 20 turnovers that the Pirates converted into 12 points. D,J. Booker led the Blue Devils with 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting while Jordan Banks added 13 and Dominque Washington 11 and six rebounds. Evrard Atcho had 12 rebounds to give KCKCC a 44-37 board advantage. The Blue Devils (4-11) also got six assists from Antonio Winn. Tra’Vaughn White led Indy with 31 points including 11 of 13 from the field.
Frigid shooting continued to plague the Lady Blue Devils (4-11), who were just 4 of 22 for 18.2 percent in falling behind 31-14 at halftime. Paris Johnson led KCKCC with 11 points while Alexandria Blaurock, Bailey West and Latosha Ware added eight each.