HIGHLAND, Kan. - A strong start to the game for the Kansas City Kansas Community College men's basketball team helped catapult them to a narrow 68-64 win over Highland CC Saturday afternoon.

KCKCC moves to 12-6 overall and 3-0 in the KJCCC.

The Blue Devils grabbed a 30-18 lead in the first half as Joshua Dames and Caleb Jones got the scoring going in the first few minutes. Dames, Jones and Joshua Butler gave the Blue Devils a 7-0 run to open the second half as the team led 37-18 with 16:59 to play. Over the course of the next five minutes, Highland was able to cut into the deficit and trim it to single digits briefly. Jones, Butler and Shayan Janloo each made baskets to give the Blue Devils a 54-41 lead to keep the pressure on the Scotties.

The teams continued to battle, but with 2:19 left in the game Zach Nelson hit a three-point basket to give the Blue Devils a 64-52 advantage. Highland would trim the lead to six, but with just 42 seconds left the Blue Devils were able to stave off the Scotties in the end. 

Dames led the team with 13 points, while Jones had 12 and Bryce Johnson added 11 points. Butler also posted double-figures with 10 points.

KCKCC is back on the court Wednesday night when they host Neosho County CC at 7:30 p.m.