Tiger men rally for 69-55 road win

Facing its largest deficit of the season, the Cowley College men’s basketball team rallied from an eight-point (36-28) halftime deficit to defeat Eastern Oklahoma State 69-55 Tuesday in Wilburton, Okla.

The Mountaineers, who entered the contest with a record of 1-7, led the final 18 minutes of the first half. Eastern Oklahoma scored the final seven points of the first half to lead 36-28 at halftime as the Tigers appeared sluggish after the long bus ride.

However, as Cowley has done so many times this season, the team stormed out of the halftime locker room with a huge run that changed the momentum of the game. The Tigers outscored the Mountaineers 15-2 over the first four and half minutes of the second half and stretched the run to 22-4 as they led 50-40 with 12:15 remaining.

Eric McKinney scored 10 of his team-high 14 points in the second half as Cowley did not allow Eastern Oklahoma to get any closer than within six points the rest of the way. Cowley outscored Eastern Oklahoma 41-19 in the second half to improve to 8-1 on the season.

“I thought we came out a little sluggish at the beginning of the game and Eastern (Oklahoma) is tough at home,” Eck said. “I’m pleased with the way the guys played in the second half.”

The fast start to the second half is becoming common for Cowley as they scored the first 18 points of the second half against the Friends University JV on Nov. 13, and then scored the first 10 points of the second half against Northern Oklahoma College on Nov. 17.

Reggie Cook scored nine of his 11 points in the second half, while Chris Rhymes finished with 10 points. Preston Brown chipped in with nine points. Eastern Oklahoma’s Robert Givens led all scorers with 23 points.

Cowley will take part in the Jayhawk Shootout this weekend in Coffeyville. On Saturday, Cowley will play Dodge City at 3 p.m. The Tigers will then play Butler at 3 p.m. Sunday.

“We definitely have got our work cut out for us,” Eck said.

The games at the Jayhawk Shootout can be heard on KACY 102.5 FM Arkansas City.