January 5, 2009

Lady Tigers return to court with 54-41 win at Highland

Holding the Highland Community College women’s basketball team to 12 first half points, the Cowley College Lady Tigers built a 14-point halftime lead en route to a 54-41 win Saturday in Highland.

Playing for the first time in 23 days, Cowley picked up where it left off on the defensive end. The Lady Tigers, who are allowing the fewest points (52.4) in the Jayhawk Conference, held Highland to 30 percent shooting for the game.

“We made them take tough shots,” Cowley head coach Todd Clark said.

Cowley led by as many as 18 points in the second half but did not play as well as they did in the game’s first 20 minutes of play.

Lady Tiger sophomore forward Elena Yankova led all scorers with a game-high 22 points and six assists.
“She got hot early and stayed hot, she was really solid for us,” Clark said.

Gabbie Curtis added 10 points and four assists, while Bebe Holloway finished with six points, five rebounds and eight steals. Holloway, who is third in the NJCAA in steals, also committed eight turnovers.
With the win, Cowley improves to 10-3 overall and 1-0 in the Jayhawk East. Highland falls to 7-6 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

The Lady Tigers will host Fort Scott Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Greyhounds got 31 points and 11 rebounds from Leondra Doomes-Stephens in a 77-74 loss to Coffeyville on Saturday. Fort Scott is 7-6 overall and 0-1 in the Jayhawk East.

“We will have our hands full, they are averaging over 72 points per game and we have scored over 70 points in a game just a few times this season,” Clark said. “It will be a test of wills to see whose style will win out.”