The Spurgeon College men's basketball team (14-4) extended their winning streak with a hard-fought 104-94 victory over Kansas Christian College (7-9) on January 30, 2025, at Cowen Municipal Gymnasium in Overland Park, KS. In front of 112 fans, the Knights showcased their offensive firepower and defensive resilience to secure a crucial conference road win.

First Half Dominance Sets the Stage

The Knights came out strong, building a commanding 53-31 lead by halftime. Spurgeon College shot an impressive 60.5% from the field in the first half, led by Jack Chamberlin, who scored 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting. The Knights' defense was equally impactful, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 29 points off turnovers.

Drew Middleton added 14 points in the first half, including two three-pointers, while Michael Berry contributed 8 points and 4 assists. The Knights' fast-paced offense and suffocating defense left Kansas Christian struggling to keep up, as they shot just 42.9% from the field in the opening period.

Second Half Surge from Kansas Christian

Kansas Christian came out of the locker room with renewed energy, outscoring the Knights 63-51 in the second half. Led by Isaac Lane (23 points, 7 rebounds) and Kaiden Hunter (21 points, 3 three-pointers), Kansas Christian cut the deficit to single digits late in the game. However, the Knights' depth and composure proved too much to overcome.

Joseph Allen was instrumental in the second half, scoring 12 points and dishing out 4 assists, while Raven Ortiz added 9 points to keep the Knights ahead. Despite Kansas Christian's 57.1% shooting in the second half, Spurgeon College maintained control by dominating the paint (76 points) and capitalizing on fast breaks (16 points).

Balanced Scoring and Key Contributions

Five Knights scored in double figures, showcasing the team's depth and versatility:

• Jack Chamberlin: 26 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals

• Drew Middleton: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 three-pointers

• Joseph Allen: 16 points, 5 assists, 6 steals

• Raven Ortiz: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals

• Bohden Duffield: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

The Knights' bench also played a pivotal role, contributing 33 points, with Zion Bourgeois and Bohden Duffield providing crucial scoring and defensive stops.

Defensive Pressure and Rebounding Edge

Spurgeon College's defense forced 22 turnovers, leading to 29 points off turnovers. The Knights also dominated the boards, outrebounding Kansas Christian 38-31, including 17 offensive rebounds that resulted in 20 second-chance points.

Kansas Christian's Justin Wormell (20 points, 6 three-pointers) and Damon Werts (18 points, 6 rebounds) kept the game competitive, but the Knights' ability to control the paint and limit second-chance opportunities proved decisive.

Looking Ahead

With this win, the Knights improve to 14-4 on the season and continue to build momentum as they push for a strong finish in conference play. 

Stay tuned for more updates as the Knights aim to maintain their dominance and make a deep postseason run!