Columbia, MO – The Cottey College Comets (10-16, 5-13) basketball team with a conference road loss against the Stephens Stars (16-8, 11-7) by a score of 62-48 in Columbia, MO on February 11, 2023.
The Comets were led in that effort by Claudia Hadlock with 19 points, 3 rebounds. Sarah Hunt going for 9 points, 6 rebounds and Lauren Jones with 9 points, 2 rebounds.
The Stars were led by Marveen Ross with a double-double on the night, 15 point and 11 rebounds. Allison Moore also going double digits for the Stars 12-7.
Cottey shot out of the gate hot, outscoring the Stars 21-16. The Comets could hardly miss as they were 67% from the field in the first quarter, including 2 for 2 from beyond the arc and 7 of 8 from the line. The Stars shot only 43% from the field, going only 2 for 7 from the 3 point line and 50% from the Charity line.
Claudia Hadlock with an immediate three pointer to open the game. Her three kicks off a 7-3 run by the Comets. The Stars pull back ahead on a Tashawn Ducker layup and Celeste Athon three pointer. The teams trade the lead, back and forth with baskets and remain tied, 14-14 with just under 3 minutes to play in the first quarter. They remain tied 16-16 with 1:19 on the clock. Five points in the final minute for the Comets puts them up by 5 heading into the second quarter.
The Comets will give up that lead in the second quarter and then some. The Comets shot only 13% from the field in the second quarter, going 1 for 8 from the field, 0-5 from beyond the arc. The Comets were 80% from the line, going 4 of 5. The Stars were 57% from the field, shooting 8 of 14 from the field.
The Stars open up the second quarter with a layup from Ross. The Stars pull to within one point on a Chrishey Wilkes layup nearing the midpoint of the quarter. Seconds later the Stars take back the lead on a Douglas layup. The Stars are back in the lead by one. The Comets will regain the lead on two free throws by Derin Akdeniz to go up by one. It would be the Comets last lead of the game. Seven unanswered points by the Stars puts them up by 6 going into the half.
Two sets of made free throws for the Stars opens up the second half. Hadlock answers back with a three pointer to keep the Comets within 7. Traded layups keeps the Comets close with 6 minutes left in the third quarter. The Comets remain down by just 8 on a Sarah Hunt steal and layup as the clocks ticks below the 3:00 minute mark. Nine unanswered by the Stars propels them into the fourth quarter up 17. The Comets were unable to get any traction in the fourth quarter and the Stars walk away with the win 62-48.
Up next for the Comets is their final home game against the Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans on February 16, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Hinkhouse in Nevada, Mo. The Comets are looking for redemption after losing to the Trojans earlier this season on the road. A bid to the conference is still up for grabs for the Comets, making Thursday an important home match.