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By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net

Cowley College coach Steve Eck insists on taking things one game at a time, but his team can now start talking about its matchup with Independence.

Cowley took care of business on Wednesday night -- and what a warm-up it was to set up a showdown for first place in the Jayhawk East.

While the No. 12 Tigers came out flying on the offensive end, it was their opportunistic defense that allowed them to turn the game into a rout in the first six minutes.

Cowley recorded 13 of its 16 steals in the first half and Eric McKinney led a balanced attack with a game-high 23 points on a perfect 10-of-10 shooting to lead the Tigers to an easy 108-54 romp of Labette at W.S. Scott Auditorium.

Cowley improved to 25-2 overall after recording its eighth straight win, and should carry a world of confidence heading into Saturday's showdown for first place in the Jayhawk East with Independence. The Pirates handed Cowley its only conference loss to date on Jan. 23. Both teams enter the battle for first place tied atop the Jayhawk East at 14-1.

The Tigers jumped out to a 32-4 lead last night and never looked back.

Just under five minutes into the game, Marcus Butler stole the ball off an inbounds play by Labette and converted a layup. On the ensuing possession, Mike Atwater recorded a steal off another botched inbounds play by Labette. Butler recorded a tip-in for a 13-point lead. Those were just two examples of how focused Cowley was on the defensive end last night, especially in the first half.

"I thought our focus was a lot better than the first time we played them," Cowley coach Steve Eck said. "That needs to continue to stay high."

And the Tigers' offense benefited.

Atwater gave Cowley a 39-7 lead on a layup. Butler then made a layup as the shot clock was winding down for a 51-15 halftime lead.

Labette started to display its frustrations late in the first half. Aaron Watts was ejected after picking up a flagrant technical foul for elbowing Chris Rhymes in the face near Cowley's bench. Rhymes was restrained by one of his teammates, but the situation was quickly defused.

Ismar Neto was previously issued a technical foul for arguing a non-call. Cowley's Montrell McDonald was also hit with a technical foul and was relegated to the bench shortly after, but it didn't hurt the Tigers as they were well ahead.

Cowley shot a staggering 61.3 percent in the first half, compared to just 17.9 percent for Labette.

And it only got better for the Tigers.

Cowley shot a blistering 72.7 percent in the second half, finishing at 67.2 percent.

The Tigers made the extra pass to set up wide-open looks throughout the game. The Tigers finished with 27 assists on 43 baskets.

"We were pretty sharp on offense," Eck said. "I don't think they guarded us as hard as they could."

While Terry Dawson came alive to score 16 of his 17 points in the second half, Labette still didn't have any answers on defense for Cowley.

Rhymes scored 18 points, Preston Brown added 14 and Kyle Hammerschmidt and McDonald each had 13.

McKinney had three dunks in the second half, while McDonald made an emphatic dunk following a steal by Reggie Cook.

McKinney had a pass pinball to him and somehow got his hands on the ball and converted a two-handed dunk. He then capped off the win with a behind-the-back dunk.

Box score:

Labette: Dawson 8-11 1-2 17; Cooper 2-11 5-9 9; Reed 3-7 0-1 6; Beachner 2-6 0-0 6; Strain 2-8 1-1 5; Tintor 2-6 1-2 5; Neto 2-5 0-0 4; Irving 1-8 0-0 2. Totals 22-65 8-15 54.

Cowley: McKinney 10-10 3-4 23; Rhymes 7-12 4-8 18; Brown 4-6 6-9 14; McDonald 6-9 1-5 13; Hammerschmidt 5-6 1-2 13; Atwater 3-5 2-3 9; Cook 3-5 1-2 8; Butler 4-8 0-1 8; Miller 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 43-64 18-34 108.

Halftime -- Cowley 51, Labette 15. Three's -- Labette 2-17 (Beachner 3); Cowley 4-11 (Hammershmidt 2, Cook, Atwater). Rebounds -- Labette 30 (Tintor 6); Cowley 35 (Rhymes 9). Assists -- Labette: 7 (Woodson 6); Cowley: 27 (McDonald 5, Rhymes 5). Technicals -- Labette: Neto, Watts (2); Cowley: McDonald. Ejections -- Watts.