February 11, 2010

Lady Tigers can’t overcome tough shooting night

The Cowley College women’s basketball team played a strong defensive game against Johnson County on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the Lady Tigers were unable to get shots to fall on the offensive end as they suffered a 47-32 loss in the team’s Homecoming game.

Despite making only 2-of-25 shots from the floor and scoring only eight points in the first half, Cowley trailed only 16-8 heading into the second half of play. The Lady Tigers still trailed by only seven (31-24) following three free throws by sophomore Brianna Gonzalez with 8:35 remaining, but its inability to make shots hampered them from making a serious run at a comeback.

The loss was Cowley’s second in a row as the Lady Tigers are now 17-8 overall and 10-4 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. Johnson County, which improves to 21-3 overall and 9-3 in the Jayhawk East, is now tied with Cowley for second place in the conference. Both teams are 2 ½ games behind conference leading Labette.

Liz Smith led Johnson County with 11 points and 13 rebounds, but made only 4-of-14 shots from the floor. The Lady Cavaliers shot only 25.9 percent, but limited Cowley to 21.3 percent shooting. Johnson County also out-rebounded Cowley 50-28. The Lady Tigers, which had been out-rebounding its opponents by an average of four rebounds per game, have been out-rebounded 90-49 over the past two contests.

Cowley’s 32 points were its fewest since scoring 27 points against Johnson County back in the 1990-91 season. The Lady Tigers were led in scoring by Ariana Silva as the freshman point guard finished with eight points on 3-of-9 shooting. Sophomore center Gianna Woods was held eight points below her season average as she finished with only seven points. Cowley played without injured freshman Maylisa Johnson, who averages 5.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a team-best 4.2 assists.

Cowley will try to regroup and prepare for a tough road game at No. 23-ranked Labette on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Cardinals are 22-3 overall and 12-1 in the conference. Labette rallied for a 64-62 win at Cowley back on Jan. 18.

Saturday’s game can be heard on KSOK Radio 95.9 FM.

Box score:
Johnson County (47): Crista Bechard 3-9 0-0 8, Melissa Nelson 2-6 5-8 10, Taylor Bird 2-10 1-4 5, Emile Blakesley 1-10 0-1 3, Liz Smith 4-14 3-4 11, Katie Nietzke 0-1 0-0 0, Whitney Brown 3-6 1-2 7, Jerica Smith 0-0 0-2 0, Rayna Gutierrez 0-1 0-0 0, Betsy Smith 0-0 1-2 1, Kendra Crow 0-1 2-2 2. Totals: 15-58 13-25 47.

Cowley (32): Ariani Silva 3-9 2-2 8, Kaneesha Lee (pictured) 3-9 1-3 7, Brianna Gonzalez 1-8 3-3 6, Anna Sonka 1-8 2-2 4, Gianna Woods 2-6 3-4 7, Jasamyne Saunders 0-4 0-0 0, Maggie Vieyra 0-2 0-1 0, Crystal Allen 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 10-47 11-15 32.

Three-pointers: Johnson 4-20 (Bechard 2-7, nelson 1-3, Blakesley 1-7, Brown 0-2, Gutierrez 0-1), Cowley 1-11 (Gonzalez 1-7, Sonka 0-4). Rebounds: Johnson 50 (Smith 13), Cowley 28 (Lee 7). Assists: Johnson 12 (Bechard, Bird 4), Cowley 8 (Silva, Woods 2). Turnovers: Johnson 17, Cowley 15. Total fouls: Johnson 14, Cowley 19. Fouled out: none. Technicals: Lee.