Hot-shooting Lady Tigers take down No. 24-ranked Independence 80-68

Shooting a season-high 55.6 percent from the floor, the Cowley College women's basketball team knocked off No. 24-ranked Independence Community College 80-68 Wednesday night in Arkansas City.

Cowley started strong as they went 5-of-7 from three-point range in the opening quarter to build a 28-13 lead. However, Independence would close to within 40-37 at the end of the first half and regained the lead at 50-48 following a basket by Delani Harris with 4:20 left in the third quarter.

The Pirates' lead would be short-lived as Cowley would go back in front 60-56 heading into the final quarter of play. Five straight points by Carson Dean to start the fourth quarter pushed Cowley's lead back to nine (65-56) and the Lady Tigers used 63.6 percent shooting in the fourth to hold on for the 12-point win.

The victory improves Cowley's record to 7-4 overall and 3-3 in the Jayhawk Conference, while handing Independence (10-2 overall, 6-1 Jayhawk Conference) its first conference loss.

"It's amazing how much better we look when we make shots," Cowley head coach Todd Clark said.

Cowley got double-doubles from Carson Dean (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Martyna Kowalska (19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists) as they out-rebounded Independence 31-22.

"With Indy being the No. 1 rebounding team in the region, rebounding was our main focus," Clark said.

The Lady Tigers also set season-highs for three-pointers made (13) and assists (25). Sophomore point guard Milena Fromming went 4-of-8 from three-point range and finished with 16 points and eight assists.

"Milena hit some big shots, I am really proud of her," Clark said.

Lady Pirate sophomore guard Maisa Marcal scored 14 first half points, but made just 1-of-10 shots from the floor in the second half as she finished with 18 points. As a team, Indy shot only 26 percent in the fourth quarter as they had their 10-game winning streak come to an end.

Cowley will now prepare to play at Seward County Saturday at 6 p.m. The Saints are 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the Jayhawk Conference.

"Seward can really shoot it, so we will need to really lock in defensively," Clark said.

Box score:

Indy (68): Eriel West 2-5 0-1 5, Valentina Ojeda 5-8 1-1 11, Delani Harris 1-8 3-4 5, Maisa Marcal 7-21 3-4 18, Mira Khan 2-3 2-2 6, Daija Snipes 0-1 0-0 0, Mariah Curley 0-1 0-0 0, Jayda Van Dyke 0-1 0-0 0, Miriam Bazylewicz 6-10 1-1 14, Na'Khia Attaway 0-4 0-0 0, Miah Lowman 0-0 0-0 0, Jill Stephens 4-4 0-0 9. Totals: 27-66 10-13 68.

Cowley (80) Milena Fromming 6-11 0-0 16, Baylee Fincher 5-13 0-0 13, Carson Dean 8-11 1-2 21, Shamahra Henderson 3-4 1-2 8, Martyna Kowalska 7-12 5-6 19, Lexi Rose 1-1 0-0 3, Callie Scott 0-1 0-0 0, Jana Radovanovic 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 30-54 7-10 80.

Three-pointers: Indy 4-13 (Marcal 1-5, West 1-3, Bazylewicz 1-1, Stephens 1-1, Harris 0-1, Curley 0-1, Attaway 0-1), Cowley 13-28 (Fromming 4-8, Dean 4-5, Fincher 3-11, Henderson 1-2, Rose 1-1, Scott 0-1). Rebounds: Indy 22 (Ojeda 5), Cowley 31 (Dean 11). Assists: Indy 9 (Marcal 6), Cowley 25 (Fromming 8). Turnovers: Indy 5, Cowley 15. Total fouls: Indy 14, Cowley 12. Fouled out: none. Technicals: none.