The Kansas City Kansas Community College women's basketball team edged out Labette Community College with an 80-74 victory at Breidenthal Court on Saturday. KCKCC overcame a seven-point deficit in the first quarter, capitalizing on 26 points from turnovers and hitting 13 three-pointers to secure the win. Labette held a brief lead and dominated the paint with 36 points but was unable to maintain the advantage in overtime.
KCKCC opened the first quarter with a quick response to Labette's initial layup, as Presley Simpson scored on a jumper with an assist from Kylee West. Despite this, the Cardinals established an early lead, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Najya O'Neal at the 3:53 mark, which contributed to its largest lead of the quarter at 18-11. The Blue Devils struggled with turnovers, committing six in the quarter, which Labette capitalized on, scoring nine points off those turnovers. Meg Revol's late 3-pointer at 2:09 kept the game within reach, but Mattea Henry's layup with 35 seconds left in the quarter ensured Labette maintained a seven-point lead, 18-11, heading into the second quarter.
The quarter was marked by a closely contested battle, with Simpson's three-pointer at the 7:27 mark bringing the Blue Devils within two points of the Cardinals. Despite attempts to gain the lead, KCKCC remained behind as Ahmani Klabunde's free throws at 4:02 extended Labette's advantage. Alana Webb's three-pointer narrowed the gap to three points, but Henry's jumper pushed Labette's lead back to five. A late layup by Maia Kahura brought KCKCC within one, but Klabunde's jumper with five seconds left secured Labette's lead at 28-25 by the end of the half.
KCKCC shifted momentum in the third quarter by overtaking Labette with a key layup by Kahura at 1:57, securing a narrow lead. Elin Bjarnadottir's earlier three-pointer at 5:26 had kept the score tight, allowing for the eventual lead change. The period concluded with KCKCC holding a 38-37 advantage after outscoring the Cardinals 13-9 in the frame.
In a closely contested fourth quarter, Labette managed to edge out KCKCC with a narrow 23-22 advantage. Labette took an early lead with Klabunde's jumper and subsequent free throw, but KCKCC quickly tied it with two free throws from West. The teams traded leads throughout the quarter, highlighted by Revol's three-pointer at 2:15 that gave the Blue Devils its largest lead of the quarter at 58-54. However, Labette responded with key free throws from O'Neal and Jon'qora Moore in the final minute to even the score at 60-60, ultimately securing the stalemate as time expired.
In a tense overtime quarter, KCKCC and Labette battled to a 69-69 draw. Webb tied the game at 67 with a three-pointer at 1:16 left in overtime. Moore responded with a jumper to
reclaim the lead at 56 seconds. With three seconds remaining, Simpson scored a layup to even the score once more, ending the first overtime in a tie.
KCKCC secured a six-point advantage in the final minutes of the second overtime, aided by Simpson's jumper in the paint with 4:36 remaining. Webb extended the lead by converting crucial free throws, including two at 2:28 and another pair at 0:20, maintaining pressure on Labette. Despite Labette's efforts to close the gap with free throws and a layup, the Blue Devil defense held firm, allowing only one bucket in the last two minutes. The game concluded with KCKCC clinching an 80-74 victory.
Webb posted 28 points and collected five rebounds, converting 8-12 free throws. Simpson recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, contributing two 3-pointers. Revol scored 13 points and tallied four steals, finishing with three 3-pointers. Kahura added 10 rebounds and scored four points, providing two assists.
The next game for the Blue Devils is against the Fort Scott Community College Greyhounds at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in Fort Scott, Kan.