Panther runs allow visitors to control game

Bryce Kemp (5) goes in for a layup against Neosho County's Jordan Hickert (25) and Antonio Bostic during the second half of action at Arnold Arena Wednesday night. Kemp scored 10 points in an 80-63 defeat in Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division play. (Fort Scott Community College photo/Drew Johnson)

Two first-half runs gave Neosho County's men control in Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division play at Arnold Arena Wednesday night as the visitors went on to an 80-63 victory over Fort Scott Community College.

Neosho's first run, a 11-1 outburst, gave it a 19-9 lead with 10:23 left in the first half. Ramell Taylor scored 5 of Fort Scott's next 7 as the Greyhounds got back within 21-16 with 4:30 remaining.

But the Panthers (6-3) scored 11 straight points and, even though Bryce Kemp scored the last four of the half to bring the 'Hounds within 32-20, seemed to give Neosho County a firm grasp of things.

The first half was plagued by turnovers -- 32 in all with FSCC (3-6) committing 17 of them.

The second half was sharper but played evenly, which didn't allow the Greyhounds a chance to catch up.

Taylor finished the night with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Greyhounds. Kemp, Robert Hatcher and Nathaniel Ward each added 10. Jahman Buroughs and Antoine Lundy each scored 14 for Neosho while Tyrie Wooten added 12.

NEOSHO COUNTY: Fairman 1-5 0-1 2, Tomlin 1-3 0-0 2, Bibby 0-2 0-0 0, Larson 2-4 0-0 6, Buroughs 6-9 1-4 14, Bostic 3-11 4-4 10, Wilson 2-3 4-5 8, Hickert 0-2 0-0 0, Arce 1-3 2-2 4, Wooten 4-14 2-2 12, Diallo 3-3 0-0 6, Lundy 6-13 2-2 14, Oppitz 1-2 0-0 2. TOTALS: 30-74 15-20 80.

FORT SCOTT: Mason 0-2 0-0 0, Kemp 2-10 6-6 10, hatcher 4-10 2-3 10, Brown 1-5 0-0 3, Taylor 7-10 4-5 19, Addison 2-5 0-1 4, Ward 5-14 0-1 10, McCoy 1-1 0-0 2, Hanson 1-5 0-2 2, Gougler 1-2 0-0 3. TOTALS: 24-64 12-18 63.

Halftime: Neosho County 32-20.

Three-point field goals: Neosho County 5-17 (Larson 2-4, Wooten 2-7, Buroughs 1-1, Fairman 0-1, Bibby 0-1, Bostic 0-1, Lundy 0-2), Fort Scott 3-18 (Taylor 1-1, Gougler 1-1, Brown 1-5, Ward 0-1, Hanson 0-1, Mason 0-2, Hatcher 0-2, Kemp 0-3).

Total fouls: Neosho County 21, Fort Scott 15. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: Ward (hanging on rim).

Rebounds: Neosho County 49 (Wooten 7, Lundy 7), Fort Scott 42 (Taylor 11). Assists: Neosho County 8 (Wooten 2), Fort Scott 10 (Hatcher 4, Ward 4). Turnovers: Neosho County 20, Fort Scott 25. Steals: Neosho County 14 (Buroughs 3, Bostic 3), Fort Scott 9 (Kemp 3, Hatcher 3). Blocked shots: Neosho County 2 (Arce 2), Fort Scott 4 (Taylor 3).