Cowley men pick up big road win at Johnson County

Playing a pesky Johnson County team Wednesday night in Overland Park, the No. 12-ranked Cowley College men’s basketball team survived a scare before holding on for a 59-54 road win.

Cowley saw a 14-point (28-14) first half lead evaporate as the Cavaliers rallied to tie the game at 51-51 after a free-throw by Fred Patton with 3:18 remaining. However, the Tigers answered with a basket by Chris Rhymes to regain the lead. After getting a stop on the defensive end, Cowley’s Preston Brown drilled a three-pointer to put the Tigers ahead 56-51 with two minutes left.

Brown entered the contest having made just four three-pointers on the season, but Cowley head coach Steve Eck had faith in Brown’s ability to knock down the shot, which he had passed up earlier in the game.

“I told him next time you get the ball at the top of the key on a skip (pass) and you got a three-pointer, don’t hesitate, knock it down,” Eck said. “He was due for that.”

Johnson County would not go away easily as Melvin Cole’s three-pointer with 14 seconds left cut the Tigers’ lead to 57-54. After Cowley’s Montrell McDonald missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity at the free-throw line, Johnson County had a chance to tie the game.

However, this time Cole’s three-pointer would be no good, and Cowley’s Kyle Hammerschmidt grabbed the rebound with 1.1 seconds left. The Cavaliers fouled Hammerschmidt, who hit both free throws to seal the five-point win.

The victory improves Cowley’s record to 23-2 overall and 12-1 in the Jayhawk East. The Tigers remain a half game behind unbeaten Independence in the conference.

Eck was proud of his team as they handed Johnson County just its third home loss of the season.

“The guys hung in there and did a good job,” Eck said. “The guys need to understand this is a good win to come in here and win on Johnson County’s home court.”

Cowley made up for its 23 turnovers by holding  Johnson County to 32 percent shooting.

Rhymes led Cowley with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Four Tigers, Preston Brown, Reggie Cook, Montrell McDonald, and Marcus Butler each finished with eight points.

Cowley will return home for a four-game home-stand that begins with Saturday night’s game against Highland at 7 p.m. Four new members will be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of the game.