KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The KCKCC men's basketball team had to fend off a late surge from No. 4 Ellsworth CC Tuesday night, as the Blue Devils nearly gave up a 21-point lead before holding on 93-88 inside the KCKCC Fieldhouse. The Blue Devils are now 5-5 overall, while the team gave Ellsworth their first loss of the season.

KCKCC fell behind 7-0 in the first three minutes, but managed to claw back and trailed 11-9 at the 14:07 mark after a basket by Jaylon Moses. Gary Bess Jr. would tie the game at 11 before both teams traded baskets throughout the first half. Jerry Maxinaud and Bradley Lightbourne ignited a late run where the Blue Devils held on for the lead at halftime, 43-35.

The Blue Devils would go on a 7-0 run in the starting minutes of the second half and found a big momentum boost when Joshua Dames hit a three-pointer. The run continued and the Blue Devils would lead 70-49 at the 11:49 mark after Jalen Broyles nailed a three-pointer. Ellsworth however came back with some full court pressure and went on a 29-12 run to cut the deficit to four at 82-78. Free throws made the difference in the end and although KCKCC led 85-84 with 1:54 remaining, they made the charity stripe shots when it mattered the most to upend the opposition at the end. 

Lightbourne led the team with 24 points and Dames had 21. KCKCC shot 44.1 percent from the floor and shot 80.0 percent at the free throw line.

The Blue Devils next face State Fair CC on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Sedalia, Mo.