LEAGUE LEADER NEEDS RALLY TO ESCAPE BLUE DEVIL MEN

            One of Kansas City Kansas Community College's best efforts of the season wasn't quite enough against Brown Mackie's co-conference leading men in Salina Wednesday night.

            Three weeks ago, Brown Mackie had hung a 24-point loss on the Blue Devils but this time the Lions needed a big second half after leading just 40-39 at halftime.

            "We're getting better but still have to learn how to win," said KCKCC Coach Kelley Newton. KCKCC jumped out to a 13-4 lead and led by as many as 13 points early and by eight in the second half only to miss six second half free throws that opened the door for Brown Mackie's late comeback.

            The win kept Brown Mackie tied with Johnson County atop the Jayhawk Division II race at 6-2 while Highland, Hesston and Fort Scott are deadlocked for third at 4-4. KCKCC, which is winless in league play, returns to action at Hesston Saturday at 4 p.m. and then closes the regular season against Fort Scott Wednesday at 7 p.m.

            Statistically, the Blue Devils had their best shooting night, hitting 14 of 24 first half shots for 58.3 percent and finishing at 54.5 percent compared to 46 percent for the Lions. However, it wasn't enough to offset a rash of Blue Devil fouls and turnovers as Brown Mackie made the most of 24 KCKCC fouls to outscore the Blue Devils 22-12 from the foul line and convert 15 KCKCC turnovers into 24 points.

            Four Blue Devils scored in double figures in a game in a game that had four ties and eight lead changes. Anthony Ridley led the way with 17 points and seven assists while Lucas Smith added 16 points and seven rebounds, Stephen Leimbach 13 points on 4-of-7 three-pointers and Marcus Allen 11 points. 

            One of Kansas City Kansas Community College's best efforts of the season wasn't quite enough against Brown Mackie's co-conference leading men in Salina Wednesday night.

            Three weeks ago, Brown Mackie had hung a 24-point loss on the Blue Devils but this time the Lions needed a big second half after leading just 40-39 at halftime.

            "We're getting better but still have to learn how to win," said KCKCC Coach Kelley Newton. KCKCC jumped out to a 13-4 lead and led by as many as 13 points early and by eight in the second half only to miss six second half free throws that opened the door for Brown Mackie's late comeback.

            The win kept Brown Mackie tied with Johnson County atop the Jayhawk Division II race at 6-2 while Highland, Hesston and Fort Scott are deadlocked for third at 4-4. KCKCC, which is winless in league play, returns to action at Hesston Saturday at 4 p.m. and then closes the regular season against Fort Scott Wednesday at 7 p.m.

            Statistically, the Blue Devils had their best shooting night, hitting 14 of 24 first half shots for 58.3 percent and finishing at 54.5 percent compared to 46 percent for the Lions. However, it wasn't enough to offset a rash of Blue Devil fouls and turnovers as Brown Mackie made the most of 24 KCKCC fouls to outscore the Blue Devils 22-12 from the foul line and convert 15 KCKCC turnovers into 24 points.

            Four Blue Devils scored in double figures in a game in a game that had four ties and eight lead changes. Anthony Ridley led the way with 17 points and seven assists while Lucas Smith added 16 points and seven rebounds, Stephen Leimbach 13 points on 4-of-7 three-pointers and Marcus Allen 11 points.