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By RAMA PEROO
Cowley College

Coming off a one month hiatus, the Cowley College women's basketball team opened the conference season on a high note as they defeated Kansas City Community College 53-44 Saturday night at W.S. Scott Auditorium.

Things did not look so good for Cowley early in the second half as Kansas City scored the final eight points of the first half and the first two baskets of the second half to lead 28-21. However, the Lady Tigers hung around and did not allow the Lady Blue Devils to pull away.

Cowley eventually gained its first lead of the second half at 41-39 after a basket by Gabrielle Curtis with six minutes remaining. The Lady Tigers' lead would continue to grow as they allowed Kansas City to score just five points over the game's final seven minutes of play.

Cowley held Kansas City to 23 percent shooting in the second half and 32 percent shooting overall as they improve to 6-7 overall and 1-0 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division.

"Overall, as a group we are doing a lot better defensively," Cowley coach Todd Clark said. "We needed this win to gain confidence in ourselves and our ability to do things. I am very pleased with the win."

Freshman post player Whitney Williams, who entered the game averaging less than five points and four rebounds per contest, finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.

"She played a lot better and we did a better job of putting her in spots that give her an opportunity to score," Clark said.

Curtis also had a strong game as she recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Elena Yankova chipped in with 14 points and five rebounds.

Brittany Graham was the lone Kansas City player to score in double figures as she finished with 16 points. The loss drops the Lady Blue Devils' record to 8-5 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Cowley will be back in action Wednesday when they play at Allen County at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Red Devils are 8-5 overall and 1-0 in the Jayhawk East after a 54-46 win over Neosho County on Saturday.

"That's a tough place to play and they have a good team, so we will have to be ready to play," Clark said.

The game can be heard on KACY 102.5 FM Arkansas City.

Box score:

Cowley (53): Elena Yankova 5-16 4-4 14, Shirolacille Holloway 2-5 2-2 6, Gabrielle Curtis 4-8 3-4 11, Whitney Williams 7-14 1-2 15, Lauren Cherry 2-6 0-0 4, Noelle Jackson 0-4 0-0 0, Amy Slane 0-0 0-0 0, JaNeil Robinson 0-0 1-2 1, Alexis Wright 1-2 0-0 2, Neasha Haynes 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-54 11-14 53.

Rebounds: Kansas City 27 (Borgertpoepping 5), Cowley 47 (Curtis 10). Assists: Kansas City 4 (Four players tied with 1), Cowley 10 (Yankova 4). Turnovers: Kansas City 10, Cowley 14. Total fouls: Kansas City 12, Cowley 12. Fouled out: none: Technicals: none.