OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 19-ranked Johnson County men's basketball team had to rally the final four minutes to escape with a narrow 69-66 victory over Labette Wednesday night at JCCC Gymnasium.
With under four minutes left in regulation, sophomore guard Massi Malterer nailed a couple two-point baskets and sophomore guards Jordan Nichols and Elijah Cole each drained a 3-point bucket to give the Cavaliers their first lead since the first half.
JCCC would hang on for the three-point victory and stay one game back of conference leader Kansas City Kansas. With the win JCCC improved to 23-5 overall and to 9-3 in conference play. The Cardinals fell to 9-19 overall and 2-10 in the KJCCC D-II play. JCCC swept the season series for the third straight season and now stand 58-13 all-time against the Cardinals.
Malerer followed up a week in which he was named the KJCCC D-II Player of the Week with another big game for the Cavaliers. He poured in a game-high 25 points, hitting 11-of-17 shots to go along with three free throws. It was his team-leading 23rd time to post double digits and the fifth time with 20 or more points. He also contributed four rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Sophomore forward Kyler Mann followed with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds, his team-best eighth double-double on the season. Mann hit 7-of-8 charity shots along with three field goals.
Freshman forward Brandon Mann also finished in double figures scoring with 11 points and was one rebound shy of also posting a double-double.
Nichols also had a solid evening, finishing with six points, three rebounds and two assists.
Freshman guard Mauryon Turner and sophomore forward Traymond Willlis-Shaw provided five and four points respectively off fhe bench.
Three Cardinals were in double figures led by Christian Yeates with 16. Landon Austin and Mohammed Maxamud each finished with 14 points.
Johnson County will travel to Hesston, Kan., to take on the Larks (16-10, 5-7) on Saturday afternoon, then return home to host Neosho County (15-12, 6-6) in the final conference game of the season on Wednesday, February 28. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.