PARSONS — Two teams winless in Jayhawk Eastern Division play met Saturday night. Something had to give.
Labette Community College’s Cardinals had the upper hand after one half of play, leading the visiting Allen County Community College Red Devils by six at halftime.
“We went to a half-court trap (defense) that threw them off in the second half. We also spread the offense and let Jason (Smith) create and he ended up getting shots for his teammates,” said Anwar Perry, ACCC men’s head basketball coach.
The Red Devils wiped out the deficit, led by as many as 10 points in the second half and held off the Cardinals for a 67-65 victory. It put the Red Devils at 1-5 in Jayhawk East play and 4-13 overall. Labette dropped to 0-6 and 2-16.
Jason Smith fired in 20 points, plus had four assists and two steals. Thomas Daniel did damage inside with 14 points and collected 11 rebounds along with two blocked shots. Tashaun Kelly added 10 points.
Keevis Tukes came up with four steals. Jake Benton and Smith each had six rebounds.
“We played the best we have in the second half. We don’t have a deep bench and when we got our starters a rest, Labette came back on us but we were able to hold them off,” Perry said.
“Finally to get this conference win will I hope spark our kids. They were saying, ‘so this is what it feels like to win,’ and we have to keep it going. Fort Scott is better than Labette so we have to be ready.”
Perry said even though the Red Devils trailed again at halftime, they had a decent start to the game.
Allen County shot 43 percent, 27 of 63, from the field and sank 10 of 16 free throws. The Red Devils had 40 rebounds to the Cardinals’ 41. Allen County limited its turnovers to 12.
“As I’ve said, if we keep an opponent to within the 60 70-point range, we have a good opportunity to win the game. We played better defense and got the scoring we needed in the second half,” Perry said.
Labette was led by Randy Lokemba with 27 points, as he hit five of his team’s eight three-point field goals. Ritea Acosta added 12 points.
Allen County travels to Fort Scott Wednesday. Fort Scott (1-5, 2-15) lost 66-54 to Cowley County Saturday.
Allen County (30-37—67) (FG/3-pt): Hollis 3/1-0-1-9, Smith 7/1-3-0-20, Tukes 3-0-3-6, Kelly 3-4-4-10, Shears 1/1-0-5-5, Benton 0-3-3-3, Daniel 7-0-4-14. TOTALS: 24/3-10-67.
Labette (36-29—65) (FG/3-pt): A. Smith 0/2-0-2-6, Fleeks 2/1-0-2-7, T. Smith 3-0-2-6, Lokemba 4/5-4-1-27, Acosta 3-6-1-12, Hatchett 1-3-3-5, Thomas 1-0-5-2. TOTALS: 14/8-13-16-65.
Red Devils break through at Labette
