'Hounds fall to Weatherford, 82-81

HUTCHINSON -- Fort Scott Community College's men rallied from a deficit that was as large as 16 points but couldn't complete the comeback and fell to Weatherford (Texas), 82-81, on the first night the Salt City Classic here Thursday night.

With just under five minutes remaining in the first half, Weatherford led 40-24. But the Greyhounds (1-1) scored 11 straight points to close the gap to 40-35 with 1:36 remaining.

Weatherford led 44-36 at the half. The Greyhounds never led in the game but tied it for the first time at 59-59 after Conrad Brown hit a three-point shot with 11:42 remaining in the contest.

A Brandon Dougherty layup tied the score again at 67-67 with 7:03 left. Weatherford went in front for good moments later but never again led by more than six.

Bryce Kemp hit a shot to bring the 'Hounds within 81-78 with 49 seconds left. Weatherford's Kendall Durant hit the second of two free throws with 23 seconds remaining to make it a four-point game. Dougherty hit a three-point shot at the buzzer for the 'Hounds.

Darrell Blanton played all 40 minutes for the Greyhounds, scoring 25 points on 12-of-25 field-goal shooting. Dougherty added 21 points and Kurklin Bohanon scored 17.

Tyler Hull scored 20 points for Weatheford. Durant had 19 points, De'Angelo Robinson had 16 and Maruc Brister 12.

Fort Scott shot 50 percent from the field, making 35 of 70 field-goal attempts. Weatherford shot 47 percent on 31 of 65.

Weatherford outrebounded Fort Scott, 47-34. Bryce Kemp led the 'Hounds with eight boards.

The Greyhounds play Hutchinson, ranked No. 20 in the NJCAA Division I pre-season poll, tonight at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, they conclude play here with a contest against the Sterling College junior varsity at 3:30 p.m. After that game, the 'Hounds won't play again until Nov. 28.

WEATHERFORD: Lane 1-5 0-0 2, Durant 6-12 3-5 19, Banks 0-0 0-0 0, Lewis 1-5 0-0 2, Robinson 6-11 2-2 16, Brister 6-10 0-4 12, Hull 8-15 4-8 20, Rubenkoenig 0-1 2-2 2, Wilson 3-6 3-6 9. TOTALS: 31-65 14-27 82

FORT SCOTT: Joens 1-6 0-0 3, Bohannon 7-13 1-2 17, Kemp 3-6 0-0 6, Dougherty 8-14 3-5 21, Wilson 0-1 0-0 0, Taylor 2-4 0-0 4, Kellogg 1-2 0-0 2, Brown 1-4 0-2 3, Blanton 12-20 1-4 25. TOTALS: 35-70 5-13 81.

Halftime: Weatherford, 44-36.

Three-point field goals: Weatherford 6-18 (Durant 4-7, Robinson 2-4, Lewis 0-1, Lane 0-2, Hull 0-4, Fort Scott 6-18 (Dougherty 2-2, Bohannon 2-5, Brown 1-3, Joens 1-6, Wilson 0-1, Blanton 0-1).

Total fouls: Weatherford 17, Fort Scott 22. Fouled out: Robinson, Bohannon. Technical fouls: none.

Rebounds: Weatherford 47 (Hull 13), Fort Scott 34 (Kemp 8). Assists: Weatherford 13 (Brister 4), Fort Scott 20 (Dougherty 5). Turnovers: Weatherford 17, Fort Scott 14. Steals: Weatherford 9 (Robinson 3), Fort Scott 7 (Kemp 3). Blocked shots: Weatherford 5 (Wilson 2), Fort Scott 3 (Blanton 2).