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Comets edge Penn Valley
By Floyd Jernigan
Nevada Daily Mail
Five free throws in the final 16 seconds closed out the victory for host Cottey College Friday night, as the Comets topped Penn Valley in a back-and-forth game, 77-73.
There were 19 lead changes in the Region XVI game, the first region outing for both teams. Cottey improved to 8-10 overall, while MCC Penn Valley, out of Kansas City, fell to 1-11.
"Penn Valley is a lot better than their record and we knew that coming in," noted Cottey coach Dave Ketterman, following the game. "Hopefully, winning a game like this will get us back on track.
"Our last two games were two- and three-point losses, both times when we had a six-point lead in the last 2 minutes. And in both of those games, we couldn't hold on and finish.
"But tonight, we did a nice job of doing that. There were a lot of lead changes throughout the game. It's good to win a game like this."
The outcome was in doubt throughout the game's duration, although Cottey had to rebound from a rocky start, missing its first 16 shots.
The Comets overcame the cold shooting with a defense that forced the Lady Scouts into nine turnovers and by winning enough of the rebounding battles to pull back into the game.
Cottey drew even by halftime and then, had to overcome its own offensive lapses and a quick six turnovers in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second half. Down by six, the Comets got the lead back with 14:31 showing and from there, it was anybody's game.
Penn Valley pulled ahead by one, but Cottey's Caley Shaffstall hit a 3-pointer with 1:19 left to give Cottey the lead. The Scouts' Danielle Robertson answered with two free throws for the tie, but Cassie Hale answered that for the hosts on a follow shot.
Penn Valley again got its response from Robertson, this time on a jumper with 48 seconds left. But Casey Heger maneuvered inside for the basket at the 34-second mark, then pulled down an errant Penn Valley shot.
Hale dropped in two free throws and Heger hit three of four before Robertson popped in a 3-pointer at the buzzer. But by then, it was too late.
"It's a definite advantage playing at home," said Coach Ketterman. "The kids are just more comfortable and confident."
Caley Shaffstall finished with 25 points, including 18 in the second half, while Linsey Denney added 17, Heger 16, and Hale 10.
"Getting four players in double figures is huge for us," noted the coach. "That's been lacking, we've had just three.
"All of them had a good game. Shaffstall, Denney, Heger and Hale.
"It was good to see Linsey break out. She's been off a bit and to get her going made a difference."
It took a while for Cottey to warm up as the home team found itself on the short end of an 11-1 score, less than 7 minutes into the game, with only a free throw by Kat Zumalt to show on the scoreboard.
Hale finally ended the shooting drought and that sparked the Comets on a 13-point tear, capped by Emily Allen's rebound basket at 14:11.
Devin Settle warmed up with a pair of 3-pointers for Penn Valley and Cieara Carter hit a trey and a soft jumper and Penn Valley was up, 28-18, with 4:52 remaining in the half. Heger scored on a conventional three-point play to get the hosts going again and by the end of the half, Cottey was even at 33, as Machela VanGennip scored off her own steal, with a layup that just beat the buzzer.
Cottey was back in the hole at 43-37, but once again, responded with Shaffstall getting a conventional three-point play, with the basket and free throw on the foul. From that point on, the biggest difference would be four points, with neither team able to pull away.
Cottey went ahead with 4:39 remaining, as Shaffstall drilled a jumper and the lead held up until 1:39, when Carter dropped in a jumper to push Penn Valley ahead. That set up the final minute, with Shaffstall, Heger and Hale closing the game out.
Machela VanGennip added five points and Emily Allen and Kat Zumalt each had two for the Comets.
Danielle Robertson's 25 led Penn Valley, with 15 coming in the second half. Carter added 19 and Settle 12.
Cottey finished with a 24-for-72 mark from the floor, for 33 percent. Penn Valley was slightly better, making 27 of 70 for 38.6 percent. The Comets committed 16 turnovers, to the Lady Scouts' 20.
Cottey returns to action Jan. 29, hosting the Central Methodist University junior varsity, at 6 p.m.