Three-point barrage downs Comets

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

A heavy dose of 3-point makes proved too much for the Cottey Comets to overcome on Saturday against the visiting College of St. Mary (Neb.) Flames.

The Flames torched the Hinkhouse Center nets, knocking down 23 3-pointers en route to the decisive 89-52 victory. The Flames finished a sizzling 56 percent from long-range.

Despite 14 of the 23 triples coming in the first half, Cottey trailed by only 14 (50-36) at the break.

Five third quarter 3-balls stretched the Flames advantage to 23 at the conclusion of the third. St. Mary continued to pull away in the fourth, outscoring the Comets 23-9, accounting for the final 37-point margin.

Cottey freshmen Taylor Coonce and Olivia Pruitt led the way, sharing team-high scoring honors with 14 points apiece. Cottey senior guard Kelsey Acton chipped in eight, while sophomore August Earls tallied six.

In addition to the 23-3 3-point disparity, Cottey was outrebounded by the Flames, 46-38 — and committed 27 turnovers to St. Mary's 23.

Despite the lights out shooting performance by the Flames, Cottey head coach Stephanie Beason indicated she was pleased with her squad's effort in closing out on shooters.

"The score may not show it, but the team played really good defense tonight," Beason noted. "We had a game-plan of how to defend their plays, and we defended them well. They got hot early from beyond the arc. Even when we had great, late-hands on them, they were still hitting them. It’s tough to defend a team that hits 60 percent from behind the arc, and is capable of attacking and scoring as well."

Added Beason: "One thing we have to continue to work on, is knowing when to push versus when to slow things down, and run an offense. Too many times this evening, we were allowing St. Mary to control the tempo. We have to get better at regaining control of the tempo, when our opponents go on runs."

The loss moved the Comets to 1-4 overall.

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