Cold shooting Comets downed in season-opening loss to Harris-Stowe State, 83-49

The Cottey Comet basketball team made its season, and NAIA, debut Saturday in St. Louis, falling to the Harris–Stowe State University Hornets, 83-49.

Cottey opened the contest ice cold from the field, and trailed 22-5 at the conclusion of the opening frame. The Comets eventually rebounded from their first quarter struggles, outscoring the hosts 18-17 in the second quarter to pull within 39-23 at the half.

Cottey head coach Stephanie Beason said the Comets were unable to capitalize on several missed opportunities in the early-going. After turning the ball over on the game’s opening possession, the Comets compounded their woes, missing three consecutive lay-ups.

“I think there were a lot of factors to our nerves in the opening quarter of play,” explained Beason of her squad’s offensive inefficiency. “Of our nine players, only three were in a college uniform last season — mixed with the increased level of athleticism and talent (from) our opponents.”

Added Beason: “In the first quarter we missed at least 10 shots right around that basket, which are shots we hit every day in practice. If we would have hit those, we end the quarter with a (25-22) lead, and it’s a whole other ballgame from then on out.”

The Hornets increased their advantage to 20 points entering the fourth, and continued to keep the pedal to the metal, outscoring Cottey 29-15 in the final frame.

Beason said that “there was more to the game than the final score shows.”

“Regardless of the final outcome, we had a lot of really good opportunities during this game that we didn’t take advantage of,” she said. “In the past, one of our biggest downfalls has been the first five minutes of the third quarter. I was really proud of our effort and adjustments right out of the half.”

Beason added that she was pleased with her squad’s grit, cutting a 16 point halftime deficit to 11 near the mid-point of the third “before turnovers became a hindrance.”

“We did some really good things as a group to cut (into) their lead right out of the half,” said the fifth-year head coach. “We stayed at 11 or 12 points (down) for two to three minutes in the (third). We were able to get rebounds off their misses, but unfortunately, we became riddled with turnovers during that (stretch of the game).”

One major bright spot for the Comets was their 48-33 rebounding advantage.

“A huge factor for us to be successful this year will be to box-out and out-rebound our opponents,” said Beason. “We did a great job of keeping them off the glass and limiting second chance points in this game.”

Cottey, however, committed 32 turnovers to the Hornets’ 16, with 23 of those coming off of Hornet steals. The Comets were also held to a frigid 31 percent from the field, connecting on 16-of-52 from the field, while Harris Stowe-State knocked down 32-of-71 (45 percent). Junior guard Kelsey Acton tallied a team-high 16 points, and was the only Comet to finish in double-figure scoring.

This is Cottey’s inaugural season in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), after making the jump in July from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The NAIA is considered a step up in competition from the NJCAA.

“If we factor in the missed shots early, due to nerves, and the different level of athleticism and speed (in the NAIA), and we’re able to make adjustments from here — we’ll be fine,” concluded Beason.

Up next

Cottey (0-1) is slated for the Holiday Inn Tip-Off Classic Friday and Saturday in Dubuque, Iowa. The Comets square off with tourney host Clarke University, 5 p.m. Friday, and then wrap tourney-play against Graceland (Iowa) University, with tip off set for 1 p.m. Saturday.

The livestream link for Friday’s contest with Clarke University can be located at www.clarkepride.com/schedule/0/2.php