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By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

HIGHLAND – Highland threw a roadblock into Kansas City Kansas Community College’s finest basketball starts here Wednesday night.

The Scotties rallied to hand the Blue Devil men their first loss 70-69 while the Highland women dealt the Lady Blue Devils only their second setback 78-63.  The losses set up pivotal early season home conference openers for the Blue Devils, who entertain Labette Saturday (women at 2 p.m.; men at 4 p.m.)

Trailing 70-69 with four seconds left, the Blue Devils’ 5-10 Melvin Gatson drove the lane for an attempt at a game-winning shot or foul only to have his shot blocked by 6-7 Rashano McRae. A jump ball was called with 2.2 seconds left and the Scotties awarded the ball on the alternate possession rule.

KCKCC did get one last chance when Highland’s Jarvis Benard missed two free throws but Derick Denny’s desperation shot from three-quarters came up short.

“One (referee) called a block, another held up his hand like he was going to call a foul,” said KCKCC Coach Jon Oler. “But we just didn’t play well enough.”

The Blue Devils (9-1) led almost the entire second half. Ahead by as many as eight points midway through the second half, a four-minute drought proved fatal as Highland used an 8-0 run for its first lead 65-62.

However, a three-point goal by Gatson and a rebound shot by Dennis Tinnon put KCKCC back in front 67-65 with 2:15 left. The Blue Devils led again 69-68 on Andre Metoyer’s hook shot but 6-10 Duane Durley tipped in a missed shot to put Highland back in front with 44 seconds left and the Scotties withstood every KCKCC attempt.

Sophomore Jonathan Wright of nearby St. Joseph led the Blue Devils with his finest offensive performance, hitting his first five shots in a 13-point first half and finishing with 7 of 9 including 3 of 4 three-pointers for 18 points. Scott Fruehling, who was 4 of 7 from long range, and Dennis Tinnon added 14 points each and Gatson 9 plus five assists.

Ranked No. 15 in Division II, Highland’s women used a late first half surge to open a 34-27 halftime lead and then took advantage of 30.2 second half shooting by the Blue Devils to move to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in Jayhawk play.

Shannon Carlin had 19 points, Sarah Craft 12 and Laci Schreiber and Alyssa Rushton 11 points each for KCKCC, which fell to 8-2.

TOP PHOTO: KCKCC guard Melvin Gatson (12) is almost lost in a sea of humanity after his attempt for a game-winning shot was blocked by Highland’s Rashano McRae (42)  as the Scotties handed the Blue Devils their first defeat 70-69 Wednesday night. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

BOTTOM PHOTO: KCKCC freshman forward Lace Schreiber puts up a jump shot for two of her nine points in the Lady Blue Devils’ 78-63 loss at Highland Wednesday night. The Blue Devils are back home against Labette Saturday afternoon. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)