Comets in downward spiral

Cottey College competed well, however, the losing streak continues.

The Comets lost their sixth straight 57-50 to St. Louis Community College at Forest Park on Friday.

"We played hard," said Cottey coach Brenda Rose. "It's our third game this week and we may have been a little tired."

Better second-half free-throw shooting (6-16, 11-23 overall) may have kept the Comets closer, but St. Louis C.C. was even worse with 14 of 33 from the line.

A close first half ended on a buzzer beater by Nati Lenchner. Her 3-pointer closed the gap to 27-26 at the intermission.

In the second half, the Comets fell behind early by six, then battled back to take their first lead of the game at 36-34. After a tie at 41, the Lady Highlanders' superior rebounding and quickness, coupled with the Comets cold shooting and inability to make free throws, spurred their run to the finish.

Said Rose, "Sometimes we just can't seem to buy a bucket. I thought we played pretty good defense, at times, but didn't rebound very well."

Cottey never got within three points for the remainder of the contest.

Two Comets scored in double figures, led by Lenchner's 16. First-year transfer Sinem Tirkes of Istanbul, Turkey, added 11. Freshman Jessica Puskar led the board work with 13 rebounds.

The Comets hit the road for two games beginning with a rematch against St. Mary College's junior varsity on Tuesday. Cottey seeks revenge for a 61-60 home loss when St. Mary hit a 3-pointer with one second to go for the victory.