Allen Community College’s women started their conference season in much the same manner they played their non-conference foes: in dominating fashion.
The Red Devils were clicking at both ends of the court, steamrolling past visiting Hesston, 85-37, Saturday.
The win puts Allen (13-2 overall and 1-0 in Jayhawk Conference action) on a collision course with rival Neosho County Wednesday evening.
Allen treks down U.S. 169 for the 5:30 p.m. tipoff at the NCCC campus. The Panthers hold a 13-4 record (0-1 in conference)
It took a while for Allen’s offense to find its groove against the Larks. The Red Devils led 13-8 after the first quarter, before things began clicking, although the defense was keyed in from the start.
A 23-11 second-quarter spurt pushed Allen ahead 36-19 at the break. The lead swelled to 58-27 by the start of the fourth quarter.
For good measure, Allen ended the game on a 27-10 run.
Four Red Devils scored in double figures, and three others had at lesat eight points in the victory.
Jania Jones came off the bench to lead the way with 17 points on 8 of 9 shooting from the field.
Sara Ortiz added 14 points and 10 rebounds; reserve Abigail Alvarez, in just her second game of the season, scored 11 points with five boards. Khamille Warr scored 10.
Sarang West had seven assists and four steals, as well as two blocks.
Allen limited Hesston to 31 percent shooting, and out-rebounded the Larks 49 to 24.
Norika Welch led the Larks with 12 points. Mariah Hall added 10.
After Wednesday’s showdown at Neosho, the Red Devils will welcome unbeaten Johnson County to town at 2 p.m. Saturday. Johnson County (17-0) is the top-ranked NJCAA Division II women’s team in the country.
Hesston (8-11-8-10—37)
FG/3pt FT F TP
Kangas 1 0 1 2
Welch 1/2 4 1 12
Drouillard 1 0 0 2
Phillips 2 0 2 4
Trapp 0 0 2 0
Koza 0 1 2 1
McIntire 0 0 3 0
Davis 2 0 3 4
Williams 0 0 2 0
Hall 3 4 4 10
Cato 1 0 3 2
Totals 11/2 9 24 37
Allen (13-23-22-27—85)
Muranaka 3 2 1 8
Hambelton 0 0 2 0
Chambel 1 1 3 3
Maden 1/1 0 1 5
West 2/1 2 3 9
Alvarez 3 5 1 11
Smith 0 0 1 0
Jones 8 1 0 17
Khass. Warr 3 2 1 8
Kham. Warr 3 4 2 10
Ortiz 7 0 3 14
Totals 31/2 17 18 85
