January 21, 2010

Lady Tigers bounce back with 56-47 win at Fort Scott

With only one day in between a difficult 64-62 loss to Labette, the Cowley College women’s basketball team was able to regroup and pick up a 56-47 road win at Fort Scott on Wednesday.

With Coffeyville defeating Labette 68-65 in overtime on Wednesday, Cowley is now in a tie for first place in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. The Lady Tigers are now 6-2 in the conference, while Coffeyville and Labette are each 5-1.

Cowley got a big game from Jasamyne Saunders as the freshman from Kansas City scored a season-high 19 points. Saunders, who entered the game averaging only 4.9 points per game, scored 10 of her points in the first half as the Lady Tigers built a 26-20 lead.

After Fort Scott rallied to grab a 35-33 lead, Saunders’ three-point play regained the lead for Cowley (36-35) with 11:30 left to play. Gianna Woods’ followed with a three-point play of her own to push the lead to four (39-35).

The Lady Tigers would still lead by four (51-47) following a three-pointer by Fort Scott’s Shadara Hampton with 2:30 remaining. However, Cowley made 5-of-6 free throw attempts in the final two minutes as they held on to win.

“I thought we held our composure and I was pleased with that,” Cowley head coach Todd Clark said.
Saunders led all scorers by finishing 7-of-12 from the floor and 6-of-10 from the free-throw line.

“Jasamyne was big for us tonight,” Clark said. “I thought everyone contributed in different ways.”

Woods finished with 11 points, while Anna Sonka chipped in with eight points, four rebounds and three steals. The victory improves Cowley’s record to 13-6 overall. Fort Scott is now 9-8 overall and 1-4 in the conference.

Cowley, winners of 10 of its last 12 games, will have some time off before hosting Kansas City next Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Clark plans on giving the team some time off after playing four games in seven days. However, following a short break, the team will get back after it in practice as they prepare for another key stretch of games.
“We are always looking forward to try and get a little better,” Clark said.