OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Johnson County sophomore guard Paige Elston and Jacionna Stowers each poured in 23 points, and sophomore forward Sydni Tears had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds to power the No. 1 ranked Lady Cavaliers to a 97-64 win at Southeast Community College Sunday afternoon.
Both teams came out firing on all cylinders in the first quarter as Johnson County (18-0) held a narrow one point lead over The Storm (6-10), 26-25. It was all Johnson County from there as the Lady Cavaliers outscored Southeast by 31 the final three quarters.
Elston hit 9-of-19 shots, including four 3-pointers and a free throw, and dished out five assists. Stowers was 8-of-18 with seven made beyond the arch, a new career high. She now has 48 this season, 12th in the NJCAA, and 143 for her career, fifth most in team history.
Tears, a transfer from Odessa College, had her best effort at a Lady Cavaliers. She was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and 4-of-4 at the line. Her 16 points set a season and career high, and her 11 rebounds matches her best performance.
Other key performances include freshman forward KK Jackson Morris (8 points, six rebounds); sophomore forward Juella Brown (7 rebounds); freshman guard Dallie Hoskinson (4 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists); freshman guard Nay Dawson (6 points, 9 rebounds and freshman guard Christen Curry (6 points, 5 rebounds).
Emily Zvolanek and Morgan Frauendorfer paced Southeast with 19 and 18 points respectively.
Johnson County has two more road games before hosting No. 3 Highland Community College on Wednesday, Jan. 13, to Kansas Jayhawk D-II Conference. The Lady Cavaliers take on Missouri Valley College JV on Tuesday, Jan. 15 in Marshall, Mo., then travel to Fulton, Mo., to face Westminster College JV.