Comets win home opener

Nevada Daily Mail

The Cottey Comets beat the University of Saint Mary junior varsity 60-57 Tuesday evening to bring their record to 4-6 for the season. In their home opener on Nov. 5, the Comets beat the Lady Spires 74-54 for their first win of the season.

Shooting 65 percent the Comets led 35-22 at the half and started the second half by outscoring the Lady Spires 6-1 extending their lead to 41-23. Then seven straight fouls in a five minute period by the Comets, 14 turnovers and five three-point shots by St. Mary's players Gina Hoffman and Dhani Madron narrowed Cottey's lead to 54-53, Dave Ketterman, the Comets head coach, said.

Two free throws by the Spires Carly Johnson at 3:45 and a 15-footer at 2:40 put the Spires ahead 57-54 before the Comets shut down their scoring. Carol Humphries hit one of two free throws at 1:45 to cut Cottey's deficit to two points. With 1:15 left on the clock Katie Taylor tied the game at 57 with two free throws and then stole a pass on a backdoor cut with 53 seconds remaining, Ketterman said.

Freshman April Kelso was fouled in the act of shooting and hit one of two free throws to give Cottey a 58-57 lead.

Two free throws by April Kelso sealed the Lady Spires fate giving the Comets a 60-57 edge. The Comets are off over the Thanksgiving weekend and play their next game Dec. 1 at Allen County Community College in Iola, Kan.

Their final home game before the Christmas break will be at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, with St. Louis Community College-Forest Park.