Smith, Roberts lead Comets to dramatic victory

By Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail-- Cottey freshman Brittany Smith drives for the lane around Ozark Christian College's Reilly Allmoslecher during Saturday's game between the Comets and the Ozark Christian College Lady Ambassadors.

"It was the Smith and Roberts show," Comets head coach Dave Ketterman said after freshman Jessica Roberts and Brittany Smith combined to score 49 points of Cottey's 80-55 win over the Ozark Christian College Lady Ambassadors Saturday afternoon.

"Roberts had 22 points, 6 blocks, 13 rebounds and five assists. She had a real complete game. Brit Smith has stepped up. She is playing well for us," Ketterman said,

He said after Saturday's game that this was one of the toughest 20-point wins he has ever had.

"They play with seven guards. That makes it tough. Once I decided to go man-to-man we took their legs out," he said.

"We got into sets that let us attack their zone and got some shots," he said.

Ketterman said that OCC was coming off a four-game winning streak and had beaten No. 4 ranked Southeastern University, Lakeland, Fla. 66-62 on Jan. 7.

"I thought the kids came out and competed very well. We knew OCC would compete very well," he said.

"It was a good win for us. Any win is a good win," he said.

Cottey, now 9-4 for the season, has two home games this week, Baptist Bible on Thursday at 7 p.m. and a rematch with Hesston College on Saturday at 2 p.m.

"Hesston is one game we were never in," Ketterman said.

Cottey lost to Hesston College 79-60 in November on their first road trip of the year.

Saturday's game with Ozark Christian was the Comets first home game since Christmas break, having opened the second half of their season on the road for three games in St. Louis against Region 16 opponents.

"St. Louis was a good trip for us, going two for three, winning over Flo Valley and Forest Park," he said.

Cottey lost 62-52 to St. Louis Community College-Meramac.

Freshman Brittany Smith led the Comets with 27 points; followed by freshman Jessica Roberts with 22 points, including 3-8 three-point shots, 13 rebounds, five assists and six blocks; Melissa Hedges with nine points going 6-6 free throws; Liz Wagner with eight points; Molly Frick with six points and five assists; Shanda Moon with four points and four assists; Meleah Painter with two points and two assists and Katlyn Valerio with two points.