The finale to the regular season was an action packed affair, but ultimately the Cottey Comets fell to the Cougars of Columbia College 63-52.
The game marked the final home game for 2 current Seniors, Lauren Jones and Olivia Pruitt. It was also Senior Night for Student Assistant Coach Nina Paes. The game also happened to mark Dr. Maryann Mitts' final time coaching in Hinkhouse Gym for the Comets.
The Comets got most of their offensive firepower from Sara Montesdeoca and Autumn Wallace, who scored 24 and 12 points respectively. Montesdeoca was also the leading rebounder for the Comets, grabbing 9 boards. In the end though, the Comets struggles in the first half weighed them down from fighting back into the contest. Each time the Comets would close the gap to within 8 points, the Cougars would answer with a big bucket of their own.
The game was the regular season finale, seeing the Comets finish 17-11 Overall, and 9-9 in AMC action. Both of those are program best records in the NAIA and AMC competition. 17 wins marks 2nd most all-time in program history. The Comets will be the 6th seed in the American Midwest Conference tournament, where they will take on Williams Baptist in the first round, with a 2:15pm tipoff set for Friday, March 1st in Columbia, MO.
The game also marked Senior Day for several Comets:
Lauren Jones - As a Comet, Lauren has played in 67 games, with 20 as a starter. She has averaged 5.5 points per game and 1.9 rebounds. Last season, she was named to the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Academic All-Conference team as well as being honored as a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete award winner. Jones will graduated this spring with a degree in Business Administration.
Nina Paes - Injuries and circumstances prevented Nina from ever stepping foot on the court as a Comet, but has not let that prevent her from being a crucial piece of of the program. She has volunteered and become an assistant for the varsity program, while also leading the varsity reserve program, who had a 6-4 record this season. Nina will graduate this spring, and aims to pursue collegiate coaching.
Olivia Pruitt - Pruitt has one of the more storied careers in Comet Basketball history. She is 3rd All-Time in Career Points scored, including the 7th Most Single Season points in the 2021-22 season. She is the Career Leader in Games Played at 95, including over 50 starts for Cottey. Pruitt is currently completing a Psychology degree.
