OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – After trailing at halftime for just the third time all season, the No. 14-ranked Johnson County Community College men's basketball team closed out the final four-minutes, 28-seconds on a 15-6 run to post an 89-77 victory over Metropolitan Community College in the first game of their 2025 schedule.

After building a 10-point advantage halfway through the first half, Metropolitan battled back to take a one-point lead with 3:12 to play. The Cavaliers went into the locker room down five at the break then outscored the Wolves 50-33 in the second half to post the double-digit victory, sweep the season series and remain unbeaten at home for the season (11-0). 

Five Cavaliers reached double figures led by sophomore forward Brandon Mann with 19 points. He was 6-of-10 from the field and 7-of-8 at the free throw line.

Sophomore guard Steven Samuels followed with his second highest scoring effort of the season with 18 points. He knocked down baskets including a pair of 3-pointers and was 6-of-7 at the line. JCCC finished 17-of-19 overall at the charity stripe. 

Starting point guard Gavin Harvey finished with 12 points and five assists and freshman forward Tavian Cruse posted 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Sophomore guard Ben Miller posted his best scoring night of the season with 12 points. He hit 5-of-6 shots and was a perfect 1-for-1 from 3-point range and at the line.

Ian McDonald led Metropolitan with 19 points and Jaquan Smith added 16 off the bench.

Johnson County (12-2) will host undefeated and No. 1 ranked North Central College (14-0) on Wednesday night, January 8 at 7:30 p.m. The Pirates defeated the Cavaliers 74-68 on December 7.  It is the only game this season NCMC won by single digits.