OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 14-ranked Johnson County Community College men's basketball team opened conference play on Saturday afternoon with a 75-63 victory over Neosho County Community College at JCCC Gymnasium.

Trailing by two with 3:52 to play in the first half, the Cavaliers went on a 19-2 run for 43-28 lead at the break to finish off with a 13-point victory and improve to 13-3 on the season.

closed out the final four minutes of the first half on a 19-2 run to go from two down to 15 up at the break.

Freshman forward Tavian Cruse recorded his seventh double-double on the year finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds. 

Sophomore guard Steven Samuels matched Cruse's 15-point effort with freshman guard Gavin Harvey and sophomore guard Mauryon Turner following with 13 and 10 points respectively.

Sophomore guard Ben Miller came in off the bench to contribute eight points and freshman guard Joey Robinson finished with six points, seven rebounds and four assists. 

Damain Jones led the Panthers with 18 points, followed by Adyn Prophete with 16. 

Johnson County will travel across town to face Kansas City Kansas Community College on Wednesday, January 15. The Blue Devils received votes in the last NJCAA D-II rankings.