The 14th ranked Neosho Community College Panthers pulled away late to defeat the Allen Community College women, 65-58.
Allen finished the game leading NCCC in nearly every category save for one: Free throws.
Coach Leslie Crane believes small details, including free throws, are what sank the Red Devils Monday night.
“We’re not going to beat anyone shooting 57 percent from the free throw line,” Crane said.
“This game was lost with missed layup after layup and putback, and the free-throw line. Those were the two places we lost.”
Allen appeared in control by the third quarter, leading 40-36 after a jumper from sophomore center Yolaine Luthi and a free-throw from freshman guard Karizma Johnson.
The Panthers clawed back into contention, then took the lead late. Allen kept within arm’s length, but could not sent off a potential game-winning shot before the buzzer sounded.
“We had some breakdowns a couple of times, and we’ll get better as we go along, but I was proud how we handled their press,” Crane said. “We spent a lot of time working on it. We’re going to see them again in two weeks. 
“We had the shot, but we have to concentrate. We looked at everything but the bucket.”
One area Allen did not lack for was effort in the paint. Allen out-rebounded Neosho 50-43.
Freshman forward Joniya Lewis accounted for 10 of those boards while posting a double-double with a team-leading 12 points. Luthi ended the evening second in scoring with 12 points, followed by sophomore forward Tawhirikura Doyle with 11 points.
Johnson, Doyle and freshman guard Emma Varennes tied for second in rebounds with four each.
Freshman guard Jennyfer Gross had a team-leading five assists, followed by Doyle with four. Doyle also tied three other teammates for second in steals with two while Luthi had a team-leading three steals.
With the loss, the Red Devils’ record falls to 11-7 overall and 3-2 in the Jayhawk Conference. They host Highland Scots (3-10, 0-5) Wednesday.
Allen faces formerly ranked Kansas City Kansas Community College Blue Devils (14-7, 2-3) Saturday. The Blue Devils may have a chip on their shoulder considering Allen unmoored them from the NJCAA top 25 with last month’s upset.
For Allen, Crane believes focus may be their greatest weakness.
