The Kansas City Kansas Community College women's basketball team defeated Fort Scott Community College, 59-51, in a closely contested league matchup. KCKCC took control with a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on 12 points from turnovers and shooting 90% from the free-throw line. The Greyhounds struggled at the line, converting just 53.3% of its attempts, and committed 23 turnovers, which proved costly.
The game opened with both teams exchanging early baskets, with the Greyhounds gaining an initial lead. Ashlee Poolaw's jumper at 8:50 put Fort Scott on the board first. KCKCC responded with a layup from Kylee West, tying the game. Elin Bjarnadottir's three-pointer at 7:54 gave the Blue Devils their largest lead of the quarter at 5-2. Fort Scott regained control with a scoring run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Hailie Edmondson at 4:41, creating a four-point advantage. Despite a late layup by Amiyah Fulton, KCKCC entered the second quarter trailing 16-14.
In a tightly contested second quarter, KCKCC overcame a six-point deficit to tie the game 37-37 by halftime. Bjarnadottir sparked the visitors with two crucial three-pointers, one at 3:19 and another with just 33 seconds remaining. The Greyhounds' Poolaw contributed significantly, hitting a three-pointer and free throws to maintain a slight edge. The quarter concluded with Fulton converting two free throws with two seconds left to level the score.
Fulton opened the third quarter with a jumper at 9:31, putting KCKCC ahead, 39-37. The team capitalized on the Greyhounds' turnovers, with West contributing a steal and layup at 8:56, extending their lead to 41-37. KCKCC's defense was strong, forcing several turnovers and securing multiple steals, including a key defensive play by Sandra Hracka at 7:14. The quarter concluded with Meg Revol sinking two free throws at 00:06, giving the Blue Devils a 49-43 lead heading into the final quarter.
KCKCC maintained control in the fourth quarter, securing a 10-8 advantage to conclude the matchup against Fort Scott. Fulton initiated the scoring with a jumper at 9:45, followed by Revol's layup, extending the Blue Devil lead to 10 points. Bjarnadottir's fastbreak layup at 8:25 pushed the lead to 12, marking the largest margin of the quarter. Fort Scott cut into the deficit with Poolaw's late layup, but KCKCC's defense, including a crucial block by West at 2:03, preserved the victory.
The next game for the Blue Devils is against the Neosho County Community College Panthers at 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at Breidenthal Court in the KCKCC Fieldhouse.