It was another high-stakes contest in the American Midwest Conference when the Cottey Comets traveled to Columbia, MO, to take on the Stephens Stars. In the end, it was the home team prevailing 61-48.
Early in the contest, it looked like Cottey might complete the season sweep of Stephens, but the Stars turned it around in the 2nd and 3rd frames to control the contest. In the 1st quarter, the Comets took a 12-6 on the strength of 6 points and 6 rebounds from Sarah Hunt. Cottey's stifling defense limited the Stars to 3/15 shooting, including 0/5 from 3 point range. The 2nd quarter was a different story, with the stars shooting 53.8% from the field on their way to 16 points in the quarter. The script flipped, as it was Cottey who struggled mightily shooting in the 2nd, while also committing 8 turnovers in the quarter. The role reversal had Stephens up at the break 22-16.
The 3rd quarter was much like the 2nd, except it was the Stars' Chu Crockett running the show, going 6/7 from the field and putting 12 points on the board. That matched the Comets entire offensive output for the quarter, as Stephens extended their lead. While the Comets would have their best scoring quarter in the 4th, it was too little too late to mount a serious comeback.
On the day, Sarah Hunt was the only Cottey Comet in double figures with 11 points. She also recorded a double-double, snagging 10 rebounds to be the Comets leading rebounder as well. Hunt also moved up in the Cottey Record Book, moving to 4th All-Time in Career Scoring in Cottey Basketball History. AuShae Farris contributed 9 points off the bench for the Comets, aiding the offensive effort. The Comets struggled from 3-point range and the charity stripe, going 3/15 from beyond the arc, and only 7/12 at the free throw line.
The loss drops Cottey to 12-6 Overall, 8-4 in American Midwest Conference play. Cottey has a busy week, with a rescheduled Home contest against William Woods on Tuesday, a road contest at Central Baptist Thursday, and another Home contest on Saturday against Mission University. Tuesday's contest begins at 6pm, with seeding implications on the line for both squads.
