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Cottey earns dominating victory
By Jason Peake
Daily Mail Sports Editor
NEVADA --A swarming defense and a balanced offensive attack propelled the Cottey College basketball team to a dominating 73-30 win over Ozark Christian College on Thursday night at Hinkhouse Gymnasium.
Playing in front of the home fans for the first time this season, the Comets used an 18-0 run in the first half to pull away for good.
Key to the spurt was Cottey's pressure defense, which forced numerous OCC turnovers.
Cottey Coach Dave Ketterman said he was impressed with his team's defensive intensity.
"We knew it was Ozark's first game and we knew we could apply pressure," Ketterman said. "Being able to extend the pressure caused some turnovers and they led to some easy baskets for us. I liked our defensive effort."
Ozark Christian College turned the ball over 33 times, while Cottey turned it over just nine times. The Comets had 21 steals in the game.
On the other end, 10 different players scored for Cottey, which improves to 4-1 on the season with the victory.
"I thought we gave a good effort," Ketterman said. "We weren't as efficient on offense as I'd like for us to be. I think we're better shooters than we showed tonight. But overall, I thought we did a decent job."
Sophomore guard Jordan Davidson led the Comets with 22 points and five steals. Freshman forward Lanie Skaggs had 11 points and sophomore forward Santana Cruz added 10 points with four steals. Freshman guard Chelsey Rowland scored nine, grabbed seven steals and handed out four assists.
"We've had some pretty good performances and we've got a group that plays pretty well together," Ketterman said. "Davidson played real well for us. And Cruz, Rowland and Skaggs stepped up tonight."
The game was tied at five early.
Ketterman said many of his players may have had some early jitters.
"With 10 freshmen, it's a thrill a minute," he said. "They were excited about the home opener and we were excited to play in front of a nice-sized crowd."
The Comets then scored 18-straight points.
"In four of five games, we've been able to go on runs like that," Ketterman noted.
The Ambassadors stopped the spurt with four-straight points, but Cottey finished the first half with six-straight for a commanding 29-9 halftime advantage.
The visitors scored the first four points of the second half, but the Comets then used an 19-0 run to extend the lead to 48-13 with 14:30 left in the game.
Ozark's guards continually turned the ball over against Cottey's pressure.
The lead grew to 55-21 with 11 minutes to play and the game was all but over.
Cottey's lead pushed past 40 points late in the game.
As lopsided as the final score was, it could have been worse. Cottey made just four of 25 from three-point range.
Cottey played without Savana Cornelius, who is nursing an injury. Ozark Christian was without a few of its players, Ketterman noted. Cottey will travel to Parsons, Kan. on Monday night to take on Labette Community College. Ketterman said Labette should be a solid opponent.
"We'll have to play well to be in the game," he said.
The next home date is Wednesday, Nov. 30 against the Missouri Valley JV team at 6 p.m.
Thursday's result
Cottey College73, Ozark Christian College 30
Cottey College: Chelsey Rowland 3 0-0 9, Santana Cruz 4 2-2 10, Jordan Davidson 7 5-5 22, Reanna Henderson 0 0-0 0, Petra Stankovic 2 0-0 4, Jessica Holland 1 0-0 2, Kylie Eldredge 2 0-0 6, Bailey Braden 0 5-6 5, Melanie Skaggs 5 1-1 11, Blaklee Sanders 0 2-4 2, Tasha Reilley 1 0-0 2. Totals 23-53 (4-25) 15-18 73. Three-pointers: Eldredge 2, Rowland 1, Davidson 1. Rebounds 36 (Stankovic 7, Reilley 6, Braden 5). Fouls 17 (None fouled out). Assists 14 (Rowland 4). Turnovers 9. Blocks 2. Steals 21 (Rowland 7, Davidson 5, Cruz 4).
Ozark Christian: Barton 1 0-1 2, Klundt 2 0-1 4, Smith 4 0-0 8, Euken 0 1-2 1, Mattingly 1 0-2 2, Therwanger 1 2-8 4, Gibson 3 3-4 9. Totals 12 (0) 6-18 30. Three-pointers: None. Fouls 14 (Mattingly, Gibson fouled out). Turnovers 33.
Halftime: Cottey 29-9.