KC MEN, WOMEN SPLIT | Lady Rangers win third straight, top Paris; Panola takes down Rangers

Kilgore College’s KC Udolisa (4) and teammate Willie Williams (14) get tangled up with a pair of Panola College players during the Region XIV Conference game at Masters Gymnasium on Wednesday night. Panola got out with a 67-60 win, and the Rangers have lost back-to-back games, headed to Tyler Junior College on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tip-off. (Photo by ALEX NABOR – ETBLITZ.COM)

By SHAWN CHRISTOPHER

At times, the journey through the Region XIV Conference can be a cruel one, men’s division or women’s.

Kilgore College was reminded of that on Wednesday night, as the Lady Rangers defended their home court once again at Masters Gymnasium, beating Paris Junior College, 72-52, but the Rangers fell in defeat in the nightcap lo Panola College, 67-60.

Both KC teams will be on the road on Saturday, but at different stops. The Lady Rangers will play at Jacksonville College, trying to get their fourth straight win, a 2 p.m. tip-off at JC. The Rangers will be instead at Tyler Junior College, trying to get back on the winning track after losing their last two games. The men’s game at TJC will tip off at 4 p.m.

KC 72, Paris 52 (women): Almost every starter for coach Stephanie Williams’ Lady Rangers hit double figures in points, and the only one that didn’t – Nakiyah Allen – still scored nine, and had four rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot.

But BryKayla Hampton led the way for the Lady Rangers with 25 points scored, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a blocked shot in a 37-minute performance (out of 40).

Teammate Nyla Inmon scored 12 points, had 10 rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot. Jordan Wright and Tylissa Henderson each had four points: Hendersn had 13 rebounds, five assists, and three steals and went 4-of-5 from the line, and Wright had two rebounds, an assist, and two steals.

Perina Lieme had six points four rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot off the bench.

Paris was led by Mikiya House, who had 20 points, and by Allison Reese, who finished with 14.

It was win No. 10 for the Lady Rangers this season – they have an overall record of 10-8. And are second in the standings behind co-leaders Blinn (4-1, 13-5 overall) and Angelia (also 4-1 in conference play, and 12-7 overall).

KC’s next opponent, Jacksonville College, is 0-4 in Conference play, and 2-13 overall.

Kilgore College 67, Panola College 60 (men): A tied game at the half (31 first-half points) remained close throughout, but in the end, it was Panola that left with a win.

KC got only two players into double figures in scoring: Willie Williams with 19 points and Peter Mckey with 14.

Williams also had 11 rebounds, three asssts, a steal and blocked two shots. McKey had a rebound, an assist, a steal and a block; Cahmal Crosby, Kaleb Pouncy, Jamil Muttilib and KC Udolisa each scored six – Crosby had five rebounds and five assists; Pouncy had eight rebounds and a steal; Muttilib had two rebounds and two assists; and Udolisa had a rebound.

Also for KC, Thomas Hattaway, originally from Kilgore High school, had three points and a rebound.

Yaphet Moundi had 17 points to lead Panola, and Jonah Hinton had 15.

KC lost at Paris on Wednesday night, 64-56.