The Saints defeat #13 Red Ravens 82-78

LIBERAL, Kan. - Seward County Community College upset the No. 13-seeded Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens 82-78 on Wednesday night. The Saints traded off baskets late in the second half and sealed the game from the free-throw line to improve to 10-8 overall and 6-6 in the KJCCC. Seward County returns to the Greenhouse next Wednesday, January 18th, at 8 p.m. CT to face Pratt Community College. 

Jaylin Henderson led the Saints with 21 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Wilson Dubinsky connected on five threes to have 19 points, and Niko Smith provided 15.

At the first media timeout in the first half, the Saints and the Red Ravens were tied at 4-4 with 15 minutes on the clock. Seward County trailed Coffeyville 18-10 as the Red Ravens' offense started to pick up. After another three-pointer by the Red Ravens, the Saints found themselves down by 10, 28-18, with five minutes left in the half. Seward County responded with a 7-1 run and cut the lead back down to four points, 29-25, after a Niko Smith layup. The Saints went into halftime down 38-30 to the Red Ravens and continued to match Coffeyville runs.

To start the second half Coffeyville matched their largest lead with a 48-38 advantage over Seward County with 17 minutes left in the contest. Jaylin Henderson capped off a 13-5 run for the Saints with a steal and a dunk as Seward County trailed 55-54 and forced a Coffeyville timeout. The Red Ravens responded with an 8-2 run to take a 63-56 advantage over the Saints.

A mid-range jump shot by Wilson Dubinsky tied the game at 63-63 with seven minutes left in the contest. The Saints took their first lead of the second half with a three by Nathan Jones, 68-65. In the final five minutes, Seward County continued to trade off baskets and the lead with Coffeyville. With 1:30 left in the game, the Saints trailed 78-77 and, after a pair of free throws by Jaylin Henderson, put Seward County in front for the final time 79-78. The Saints closed out the game from the free throw line to defeat No. 13 Coffeyville 82-78.

The Saints will take on the Beavers from Pratt on Wednesday, January 18th, in the Greenhouse at 8 p.m. CT. Community Bank is the gameday sponsor, with tickets available at their North Kansas Bank location.