Nevada, MO. – The Cottey College Comets basketball team dropped a close one at home against the conference leading Missouri Baptist University Spartans 72-64 at Hinkhouse in Nevada, Missouri on January 14, 2023.     

The Comets (7-10, 3-7) were led by Dally Coulter with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.  Lauren Jones also putting up 14 for the Comets, together with 4 rebounds, and 1 assist.  Sara Montesdeoca leading the Comets on the boards with 12 rebounds and putting up 7 points with 2 assists of her own. 

The Spartans (13-3, 9-1) were led by Tionne Taylor with 30 points.  Alexis Allstun with 13 points and 5 rebounds and Bryce Dowell also putting up 13 for the Spartans.

 A back and forth game in the first quarter as the Spartans pull ahead and the Comets continue to keep pace with an even score.  The Spartans score first with a free throw and layup in the first minute before Lauren Jones answers back with a 3 pointer to tie the game.  Tionne Taylor puts another two through at the line and Lauren Jones again answers back with a layup to tie the game.  The Comets take the lead mid-way through the first quarter on a Sara Montesdeoca three pointer to go up 8-7.  The Sparts answer back and the game was tied with 1:13 left in the quarter.  A 6-2 run by the Spartans to end the first quarter have the Spartans up 16-12.  

A Claudia Hadlock jump shot opens up the second quarter and the conference opponents continue to battle back and forth.  A Sarah Hunt three pointer with just under six minutes in the half ties the game at 23.  A 3 pointer by Tionne Taylor caps an 8-1 run by the Spartans to give them their biggest lead of the game so far with 2:33 left in the quarter as they go up 31-24.  The Comets close the gap with a 6-4 run by Dally Coulter and Lauren Jones to end the half down by only five, 35-30.  

The Comets continue to keep it close and keep the pressure on the Spartans in the third quarter.  Back to back three pointers by Lauren Jones cuts the Spartan lead to 3.  The teams continue to trade baskets and the Comets keep the Spartans from expanding their lead.  The score is 47-43 with three minutes left in the third quarter.  A 9-5 run by the Spartans ends the third quarter with the Spartans up by 8 points.  

Derin Akdeniz opens up the final quarter with a jump shot to make some headway on the Spartan lead and pull to 6.  A Nyah Ford layup for the Spartans takes them to their biggest lead of the game at 10.  A 9-2 run by the Comets cuts the Spartan lead to measly 3 with 1:23 remaining in the game.  That would be all the Comets could put through as the Spartans put up 5 more to keep the Comets at bay with a final score of 72-64.  

 Up next for the Comets will be the Lyon Scots on January 19, 2023 at 5:30 pm.