Scoring just 26 points in the first half and shooting 36 percent from the field put Allen County Community College’s Red Devil men behind the eight-ball Wednesday.
Johnson County Community College’s Cavaliers, ranked 11th in NJCAA Division II, was ablaze from the field in the opening 20 minutes of the Jayhawk Eastern Division contest. They shot 61.5 percent from the field. They hit 5 of 8 three-pointers and sank 8 of 11 free throws in the mix.
Allen County could not overcome a 45-26 halftime deficit. Even after outscoring Johnson County 47-38 in the second half, the Red Devils dropped their fourth game in a row, 83-73.
The Red Devils are 0-5 in Jayhawk East play and 3-13 overall. Johnson County improved to 3-2 in conference action and 13-3 overall.
In other Jayhawk East games on Wednesday night, Kansas City beat Neosho County 89-68, Cowley County defeated Labette 88-74 and Independence beat Fort Scott 62-59.
There is logjam at the top of the Jayhawk East standings. Kansas City, Cowley County, Independence and Neosho County are all at 4-1. Coffeyville, which plays Highland tonight, is at 3-1.
Allen County goes to Parsons Saturday to take on Labette Community College’s Cardinals. Labette is 0-5 and 2-15.
Allen County finished Wednesday’s game shooting at 44 percent, 28 of 63, from the field. The Red Devils were 11 of 17 at the free-throw line.
Johnson County shot 47 percent, 25 of 53, from the field. The Cavaliers were 9 of 27 from the field in the second half. The Cavaliers cashed in on 28 of 44 free throw attempts.
“Our goal always is to make more free throws than our opponent takes. Again, we put them on the line way too many times,” said Anwar Perry, ACCC men’s head coach.
Jason Smith fired in 30 points plus had seven assists for the Red Devils. Keevis Tukes, who hit five three-point field goals, had 17 points.
Ryan Magdziariz was 16 of 24 from the free-throw line as he scored 28 points for Johnson County. Justin Leathers added 17 while Jordan Honore chipped in with 11 points. Aaron Washington scored 10.
Johnson County outrebounded Allen County 31 to 27.
Allen County (26-47—73) (FG/3-pt): Smith 11-8-5-30, Tukes 1/5-0-2-17, Kelly 3-0-4-6, Daniel 4-1-2-9, Wright 0-0-2-0, Hollis 1/1-0-2-5, Myrick 0-2-2-2, Shears 2-0-5-4, Benton 0-0-1-0. TOTALS: 22/6-11-26-73.
Johnson County (45-38—83) (FG/3-pt): Turner 1-3-2-5, Honore 4-3-0-11, Leathers 5/1-4-2-17, Brasher 0/2-1-1-7, Magdziariz 3/2-16-4-28, Jones 0-0-1-0, Washington 5-0-0-10, Beal 2-1-1-5, Jones 0-0-1-0. TOTALS: 20/5-28-12-83.
First-half scoring woes hamper Red Devil men
