SW Kansas News

A fast start for the Kansas City Kansas Community College men's basketball team ended with a narrow 78-74 win over Iowa Western CC Tuesday night, as the Blue Devils held off a comeback by the Reivers. The Blue Devils have won seven games in a row, which is the longest winning streak for the team since Feb. 19, 2020. KCKCC improves to 9-5 overall on the season.

The Blue Devils jumped ahead 11-3 in the first four minutes, but Iowa Western kept it close later as they trailed 28-25 with 4:33 remaining in the first half. Jalen Broyles and Hudson Anderson quickly made a stretch run for the team and the Blue Devils led 37-30 at halftime. With 12 minutes left in the game, Isaiah Williams gave the team a 57-43 lead. But within less than four minutes the Reivers cut the deficit to seven points after Max Polk, who led Iowa Western in scoring for the night, hit a layup making it 59-53. A timeout by KCKCC helped them later extend their lead back to double-digits before Iowa Western cut the deficit to four points with 1:59 left. Jaylon Moses, Joshua Dames and Bradley Lightbourne connected on key free throws and despite two straight three-point baskets by Iowa Western - the Blue Devils held on for the mid-season win.

Broyles led the team with 16 points and Lightbourne had 14. Moses and Dames each pitched in 12 points and KCKCC shot 44.4 percent from the field.

Riding the hot winning streak the Blue Devils will go on the long Christmas break to rest up before returning to the court on Jan. 7. KCKCC hits the road for Indian Hills CC at 7 p.m.