BALANCE KEY AS STAMBERSKY GETS 20TH WIN AT KCKCC

Valerie Stambersky was rewarded with the first 20-win season of her career as women's coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College Monday night as the Lady Blue Devils exploded in the second half for a 71-49 win.

Ranked No. 16 in the nation in NJCAA Division, the Blue Devils boosted their record to 20-4 to become the first team since 1997 to win 20 games. Already the winningest women's coach in KCKCC history, Stambersky's previous best season came in 2010-11 when the Blue Devils were 19-12.

The Blue Devils can add to that record Wednesday when both teams play at Fort Scott at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Balance was again the key for the KCKCC women. Rashaun Casey led the scoring with 21 points while Cassidy Harbert added 14 as both had three 3-pointers. Janai Mitchell and Iland Shurn each had 10 rebounds as KCKCC dominated the boards 45-30 and both just missed double doubles, Mitchell with nine points and Shurn with eight while Harbert added a game high seven assists and eight rebounds to her 14 points.

Leading 30-23 at halftime, the Lady Blue Devils were 14 of 28 the second half. Casey led the big second half assault with 16 of her 21 points while Iland had eight and Harbert seven to offset 13 second half turnovers. "We still have a lot to work on but they responded well in the second half and did a lot of good things," said Stambersky.