February 11, 2010

Balanced effort leads Tigers to 88-72 win over Johnson County

Getting five players to score in double figures, the Cowley College men’s basketball team defeated Johnson County 88-72 during the team’s Homecoming game Wednesday night at W.S. Scott Auditorium. The victory, coupled with Coffeyville’s 69-62 loss at Kansas City last night, moves the Tigers to within a half game of first place in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division.
Playing in front of a large Homecoming crowd, the Tigers built a 15-point halftime lead (48-33) and led by as many as 20 points in the win. Cowley is now 17-9 overall and 11-3 in the conference.
“This was a good team victory,” Cowley head coach Tommy DeSalme said. “We had a great crowd and the energy was good tonight.”
Trailing 26-24, the Tigers outscored Johnson County 24-7 over the final eight minutes of the opening half. Cowley shot over 50 percent in both halves and ended the game shooting 51.4 percent from the floor (36-70) and 91.7 percent from the free-throw line (11-12). The Tigers recorded 13 more assists (28-15) than the Cavaliers and out-rebounded the visitors 37-29.
All five Tigers to score in double figures were freshmen, while nine freshmen scored in the win.
“I think our freshmen are growing up and starting to get better,” DeSalme said.
Once again, Tyrus McGee led the way as he finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists. McGee is averaging 23 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over the past three games, while shooting 60 percent (25-of-42) from the floor.
“Tyrus is a special player,” DeSalme said.
Canon Fields continued to state his case as being one of the best point guards in the conference by adding 15 points, seven assists and four steals, while committing zero turnovers.
Dominick Cornelius chipped in with 12 points and five assists, and Jordan Lankster and Julio Rosario finished with 10 points a piece.
Johnson County’s Ronnie Boggs finished with a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds but it was not enough to keep the Cavaliers from dropping its seventh game in its last eight contests. The Cavaliers are now 11-14 overall and 2-11 in the conference.
David Luster, who came into the game averaging 22.4 points, was held to just 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting.
Cowley will return to action Saturday when they travel to Parsons to take on Labette at 7:30 p.m. The Cardinals are only 8-17 overall and 3-10 in the Jayhawk East, but have played much better at home. Labette is 6-7 at home compared to 2-10 on the road.
The Tigers defeated Labette 82-57 in a game played at W.S. Scott Auditorium on Jan. 18.
“We have got to find a way to go on the road and beat Labette,” DeSalme said.
The game can be heard on KSOK Radio 95.9 FM.
Box score:
Johnson County (72): David Luster 4-11 1-3 10, Ronnie Boggs 8-15 3-5 20, Kyle Speed 2-7 0-0 4, Ryan Magdiziarz 5-14 2-5 14, Haydon Parks 2-3 7-9 11, Travis Ryan 1-1 0-0 2, Jason Payton 1-3 0-0 3, Curtis Beall 3-4 0-1 6, Dominique Outley 0-1 2-2 2. Totals: 26-59 15-25 72.
Cowley (88): Canon Fields 7-12 0-0 15, Tyrus McGee 6-10 4-4 18, Dominick Cornelius 5-11 1-2 12, Kelton Marshall 3-6 0-0 6, Jordan Lankster 4-7 2-2 10, Caprest Rhone 4-6 0-0 9, Kalub Long 0-0 0-0 0, AJ Barber 1-1 0-0 2, Brent Schuck 1-3 0-0 2, Lance Russell 0-4 0-0 0, Julio Rosario 4-5 2-2 10, Joseph Wakefield 0-2 0-0 0, Michael Copeland 1-3 2-2 4. Totals: 36-70 11-12 88.
Three-pointers: Johnson 5-17 (Luster 1-6, Boggs 1-5, Speed 0-1, Magdiziarz 2-4, Payton 1-1), Cowley 5-19 (Fields 1-4, McGee 2-3, Cornelius 1-4, Marshall 0-2, Lankster 0-1, Rhone 1-2, Russell 0-3). Rebounds: Johnson 29 (Boggs 13), Cowley 37 (McGee 9). Assists: Johnson 15 (Luster, Boggs, Magdiziarz 4), Cowley 28 (Fields 7). Turnovers: Johnson 19, Cowley 14. Total fouls: Johnson 10, Cowley 19. Fouled out: none. Technicals: none.