Cottey Comets earn win

Nevada Daily Mail

The Cottey Comets won their second straight with a 58-40 decision at Baptist Bible College Tuesday.

The Comets used a tough man defense to frustrate the Lady Patriots, holding them to 14 points in the first half.

Cottey struggled as well in the opening half, scoring only 26, but got Lacy Leonard untracked after the break and cruised.

"We had a little trouble getting on track in the first half," head coach Dave Ketterman said. "We were not getting the ball to the basket."

The Nevada graduate scored 20 of her game-high 25 points during the second half, after Ketterman made a halftime adjustment.

"They were doubling her on the right block, so we moved her to the left block," Ketterman said. Leonard scored 10 points in the first five minutes of the second half after the adjustment.

"That stretched the lead out and allowed us to play a lot of people," Ketterman said.

The Comets had a good night taking care of the basketball and playing selfless. Cottey had a 25 assists as a team, with only 13 turnovers.

"We were pleased with that," Ketterman said of the nearly 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Kerri Shanks had a good game, collecting eight assists, six rebounds and not turning the ball over once while running the point.

Kayla Orear and Melissa Hedges each chipped in with four assists for Cottey.

The Comets (9-6) will host St. Louis Community College-Meramec Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Hinkhouse Center.