Jherica Montgomery’s finest game wasn’t enough to save Kansas City Kansas Community College from Division II basketball playoff elimination Saturday.
A 6-foot sophomore from Wichita Southeast, Montgomery had game and career highs of 24 points and 15 rebounds but it was Hesston that came away with an 80-70 home-court decision.
The loss ends KCKCC’s season at 10-21.
The Lady Blue Devils were just two points back at 36=34 at halftime before Hesston pulled away with a 44-point second half on 46.7 percent shooting.
Led by Montgomery’s 9 of 14 field goal attempts and 6 of 7 free throws and 5 of 8 shooting by Alexandria Blaurock, KCKCC has one of its best shooting games of the season at 42.9 percent but it wasn’t enough to overcome 22 turnovers. Blaurock finished with 13 points and Mariah Marusak added 10 for the Blue Devils.
The win advances Hesston (15-15) into Division II semifinal play at No. 1 ranked Johnson County (29-1) Tuesday while No. 10 ranked Highland (25-5) will be hosting Brown Mackie (22-8) in the other semifinal.
