The Kansas City Kansas Community College women's basketball team edged the Neosho County Community College Panthers, 73-72, in a tense matchup Saturday that was decided in overtime at Breidenthal Court. KCKCC capitalized on 29 Panther turnovers, converting them into 38 points. Neosho County led by six points in the second quarter, but the Blue Devil 48 points in the paint proved decisive in securing the narrow victory.
KCKCC opened the first quarter with a strong offensive effort, overcoming an early deficit. After trailing by four points, they surged ahead with a 9-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Kyara Bakker at 5:30. Amiyah Fulton's two successful free throws with 1:07 left gave KCKCC a one-point advantage, and the quarter ended with the Blue Devils leading 18–17.
In the second quarter, KCKCC shifted momentum with a significant run, highlighted by Elin Bjarnadottir's pivotal 3-pointer at 0:50, which established a four-point lead. The team excelled in converting turnovers into 11 points and controlled the paint with 10 points, countering Neosho County's attempts to maintain their early advantage. KCKCC ended the half leading 32-28.
The Blue Devils extended their lead in the third quarter with a strong performance in the paint and transition plays. Alana Webb scored a fast-break layup at 3:08, followed by another layup from Kylee West, assisted by Webb, at 2:51, pushing the lead to 11 points. Despite a late push from the Panthers, including a three-pointer by Mireles with 12 seconds remaining, KCKCC maintained its advantage. The quarter concluded with KCKCC leading 44-42.
The Blue Devils surged late in the fourth quarter, with Webb's layup at 44 seconds bringing them within two points of the Panthers. Webb then tied the game with a jumper at 14 seconds, assisted by Bakker. Following a turnover by Neosho County, Webb's clutch free throws with four seconds left gave the Blue Devils a two-point lead. Despite a late layup by Neosho County, the game concluded in a 57–57 tie.
The Blue Devils secured a thrilling victory in overtime with decisive plays in the final moments. The quarter was marked by a series of lead changes, but KCKCC took control with a pivotal layup by Fulton at 2:23, establishing a significant five-point lead. Neosho County fought back to narrow the margin with a late push, but Hracka's game winning layup with just 2 seconds remaining, assisted by an inbounds pass from Meg Revol, secured the win for the Blue Devils. The game ended with KCKCC winning 73–72.
West recorded a double-double with 22 points and brought down a KCKCC Women's Basketball Program Record 26 rebounds. Webb contributed significantly with 18 points and
five assists, adding depth to the offensive effort. Fulton tallied seven points while collecting three steals, impacting both ends of the court. Hracka added to the defensive effort with 11 rebounds, including 10 on the defensive glass.
The next game for the Blue Devils is the opening round of the 2026 DII Region VI Women's Basketball Tournament against the fifth seeded Labette Community College Cardinals at 5:30 p.m. Mar. 3 at Breidenthal Court in the KCKCC Fieldhouse.