OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Facing their biggest rival, the No. 15-ranked Johnson County men's basketball rallied from nine down early in the first half to post a 70-67 win against Kansas City Kansas at Fred. A. Pohlman Fieldhouse on the campus of Metropolitan-Penn Valley Wednesday night.  With the victory the Cavaliers evened their conference mark to 1-1 and improved to 15-3 overall. The Blue Devils fell to 1-1 and 10-8 overall. 

Playing with just an eight-man rotation, head coach Rand Chappell got solid production out of all eight players. Freshman forward Brandon Mann led all scorers with 19 points, hitting 7-of-12 shots and five three throws. 

Sophomore guard Massi Malterer and freshman forward Donald Bangham, Jr., also finished in double figures with 13 and 10 respectively.  Malterer also had three rebounds, three steals and two assists. Bangham contributed six boards and two assists.

Sophomore guard Elijah Cole and sophomore forward Traymond Willis-Shaw were solid of the bench. Cole finished with six points, three assists and led the team with a season high 10 rebounds. Willis-Shaw added nine points, three rebounds and two blocked shots.  Sophomore starting guard Jordan Nichols and contributed nine points. 

"Good win, hard-fought game," Chappell said following the victory. "We dis a good job taking of the ball committing just eight turnovers. We also got 20 offensive boards. We battled hard, played smart and found a way to win a tough game." 

KCKCC had four players in double figures led by Cameron Williford and Reginald Morris each with 11 points. Caleb Jones and Pierce Ross both contributed 10 points in the loss.

Up next for the Cavaliers is a road test against Allen Community College, coached by JCCC alumnus Patrick Nee. JCCC has battled the Red Devils for the conference title in each of the last three seasons.  Allen comes into the contest having lost both its conference games by a combined total of just five points, falling 80-76 to Hesston and 70-69 at Neosho County.