News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2009

BASKETBALL COMETS DROP FIRST TWO OF THE SEASON

The Cottey College Comets traveled to Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday and Saturday to tip off the basketball season against Kansas City Kansas Community College and Johnson County Community College in the Kansas City Kansas Community College Classic. The Comets lost on Friday to KCKCC 44-67, and were defeated on Saturday by Johnson County 41-73.

The Comets, a Division II team in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) were facing two teams from Division I in this tournament. In fact, Cottey will be seeing a lot of Division I and Jayhawk league teams this season.

"We're a victim of our own success," said head coach Dave Ketterman. "A lot of the teams we've played in the past won't play us this season because of our record the last two years. We've had to upgrade our schedule and play a lot tougher competition to get enough games in."

On Friday, the Comets played competitively with Lady Blue Devils in the first half. At the break, Cottey only trailed by seven at 29-36. In the second half, however, KCK was able to hold the Comets to 15 points in 20 minutes. The Cottey offense was cold in the final frame as their shooting percentage dropped from 32 percent in the first half to 13 percent in the second. By comparison, KCK shot 42 percent from the field for the game.

Team leaders for the Comets against the Lady Blue Devils were transfer guard Natascha Lord with 12 points. Close behind was transfer Tessa Porter with nine points. Returning starter Alex Noble had eight rebounds, one blocked shot, and two steals.

The slow offense carried over to the first half of game two as the Comets could only muster 13 points in the opening 20 minutes against the Lady Cavaliers of Johnson County. Cottey shot 18 percent in the first half compared to 50 percent for the opponent. Down 23 points at the half, the Comets could not dig themselves out of the hole. Cottey did shoot much better in the latter half, raising their shooting percentage to 32 percent for the second half.

Team leaders for Cottey on Saturday were Bailey Beale who had 18 points, including five three-point baskets, and Porter who added an even dozen points of her own. Noble was again tops in rebounds with nine, and also added three blocks.

The 0-2 Comets will open their home schedule at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, when the Fort Scott Lady Greyhounds visit the friendly confines of Hinkhouse Center.