Comets drop two in Neosho

NEOSHO -- The Cottey College Comets basketball team entered the Crowder Classic tournament, Friday and Saturday, hoping to keep up their winning ways and get above the .500 mark for the season.

That didn't happen, however, as the Comets simply couldn't find their rhythm and ultimately lost both of the games they played in the tournament.

On Friday, North Arkansas got off to a strong start and the Comets simply couldn't keep up as they found themselves down by 14 at halftime. Though the Comets didn't really put up an offensive showing much different from the ones they've already had this year in the opening half, North Arkansas had its way with the Comets' defense, heading into the locker room with a 54-40 lead.

Things never did get better for the Comets as head coach Dave Ketterman's squad went on to be outscored, 56-40, in the second half, ultimately handing North Arkansas a 110-80 victory.

On Saturday, balanced scoring carried Crowder College to an 83-71 victory over the Comets. Dorian Briggs, Tae'lor Monroe and Thays Barbosa scored 15 points apiece for the Lady Roughriders and Courtney Jones added 14 points -- with four 3-pointers -- to help Crowder even its record at 4-4.

Cottey freshman and Webb City High School product Casey Heger led the Comets with 25 points and fellow freshman Linsey Denney added 22.

With the weekend's losses, the Comets' record fell to 1-3 on the year. Ketterman's squad was scheduled to get right back into action Monday evening, taking back to the road to take on Fort Scott Community College, but those results were not available at press time.

Cottey's next home game is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, when the Hesston (Kan.) College Lady Larks visit Hinkhouse Center.