Comets soar over North Central Missouri College

The Cottey Comets convincingly beat Region XVI opponent North Central Missouri College 75-63 Tuesday night in Hinkhouse Gymnasium.

The Comets set the tone for the night when they took a 10-0 lead at 16:40 and maintained a double digit lead through most of the first half. Melissa Hedges, Jessica Roberts and Liz Wagoner combined for 25 of the Comets 33 points in the first period to keep the pressure on the Lady Pirates in an up-tempo game.

A three-point play by North Central's Cassie Hunt moved the Lady Pirates to within eight to end the half with Comets ahead 33-25.

The Lady Pirates made several runs on the Comets lead during the second half and twice came within 10 points of the Comets, who responded each time with their own runs.

Midway through the second half the Comets had a commanding 58-40 lead and appeared to have the game well in hand, when the Lady Pirates had a 12-5 run cutting Cottey's lead to 11 points with four minutes left in the game. A basket by Hedges put the Comets ahead by 13 points and Hedges and Brittany Smith finished out the game with free throws as the Lady Pirates fouled to stop the clock and try to get back into the game.

The win over North Central moved the Comets season record to 11-5 and 3-2 against Region XVI teams.

The Comets play Baptist Bible College in Springfield tonight and take on Region XVI opponent St. Louis Community Colege-Florissant Valley at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hinkhouse Gym.

Melissa Hedges led Cottey in scoring with 24 points and going 7-8 at the charity stripe, followed by Jessica Roberts with 18 points and Liz Wagoner with 12. Brittany Smith and Meleah Painter added eight points each and Molly Frick scored five.