KC men lose close one in OT to Navarro, 71-67

KILGORE, TX -- The Kilgore College men forced overtime, but just couldn't hit needed shots in the extra period, losing a nail-biter to Navarro College, 71-67, in Masters Gymnasium Feb. 3.

KC was down 29-21 at halftime and clawed its way back, going ahead by a point with 9:37 left.  From there, there were 8 lead changes in regulation.

In overtime, KC's Jaleel Wheeler narrowly missed a 3-point shot that would have tied the game with seconds left, but Navarro rebounded and forced KC to play the foul game.

Kilgore was led in scoring by Wheeler with 26 points.  He also had seven rebounds.

Two other KC players were in double figures with Cheikh Diallo scoring 13 points and Alassane Kah with 10 points.  Kah earned a double-double, adding an impressive 15 rebounds.

Navarro's Jamar Martin led all scorers with 27 points.

With the loss, KC drops to 15-8 overall and 5-8 in Region XIV play.

Kilgore's next game is 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, in Athens versus the NJCAA No. 1-ranked Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals.

PHOTO ABOVE: KC's C.B. Diallo drives a Navarro College defender Feb. 3 in Masters Gymnasium.  Diallo finished the game with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.  Photo by Jon Vashey/KC