News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2009


COMETS LOSE HOME OPENER

Bailey Bush defending against Ft. Scott

The Cottey College Comets had a rough season opener as the Fort Scott Lady Greyhounds pulled away in the second half to defeat the Comets, 57-74, on Tuesday evening.

It was a close game at times. The Comets found themselves down by only five at the break 30-35, and, after being down by double digits in the second half, pulled to within a point. However, execution was the downfall for Cottey as the Comets committed 19 turnovers in the game.

"We were successful in meeting two of our three goals," said head coach Dave Ketterman. "We hit our mark in energy and effort, but we fell short in execution."

Give Fort Scott's defense part of the credit for the problems of execution. The Greyhounds Tashanda Jackson at 6'2" was bigger than anyone the Comets could throw at her. Cottey doesn't have a true post player, and finding someone who could stand toe-to-toe with her in the lane was a challenge.

Another struggle with execution is so many of this year's guards didn't play last season. Tessa Porter and Bailey Beale, transfers from Missouri Southern, played sparingly last season, and Natascha Lord, who transferred from Southwest Baptist, played soccer last year.

"We are going to get better," said Ketterman. "It's just going to take playing time for this group to get back in the swing of things and get used to each other."

Three players scored in double digits for Cottey. Porter led the Comets with 15 points and was joined in double figures by second-year player Amanda Sanders with 13 and Lord with 11. Sanders and Alex Noble tied for the team lead in rebounds with five each.

Cottey is now 0-3 on the young season. Next up for the Comets is a visit to Allen County Community College in Iola, Kansas, on Friday afternoon where they will get a rematch with the Greyhounds. On Saturday, they will tip-off against Allen County. The next home game for the Comets will be on Friday, November 20, when they face Rhema Bible College out of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.