Tigers’ rally to stun Independence 123-115

Trailing by seven points with a little more than three minutes left to play in its game at Independence Community College on Wednesday, the No. 19-ranked Cowley College men's basketball team finished the game on a 17-2 run to win 123-115.

Reminiscent of the game last season where Cowley rallied from 14 points down in the final four minutes to defeat Independence, Cowley forced the Pirates into six turnovers during the decisive run.

"Our sophomores were not going to let us lose this game," Cowley head coach Tommy DeSalme said.

The first half was a back and forth contest. Trailing 36-35, Tiger freshman Kobe Campbell hit a three-pointer and on the next Cowley possession he converted a three-point play to give Cowley a 41-36 lead. Cowley would go into halftime leading 55-48.

"Kobe has really been practicing well and I hope it is starting to corelate into the game," DeSalme said.

A three-point play by the Tigers' Shemarri Allen increased Cowley's lead to 67-59 before the Pirates rallied to tie the game at 78-78 with 12 minutes left to play. The teams would then trade baskets before Independence grabbed its biggest lead of the game at 113-106 with 3:17 left to play.

However, the Tigers answered with a 13-0 run, capped by a three-pointer by Moun'tae Edmundson with 1:15 remaining. The three-pointer by Edmundson was the Tigers' 16^th of the game.

"Shooters shoot and we finally hit a couple of big ones down the stretch," DeSalme said.

After a basket by Independence cut Cowley's lead to 119-115 with 1:04 left to play, Cowley would go 4-of-4 from the foul line in the final minute to seal the victory.

Cowley is now 12-4 overall and 12-2 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. Independence, losers of three games in a row, is now 10-7 overall and 8-7 in the conference.

Sophomore Dalen Ridgnal led Cowley with 32 points and 12 rebounds as he went 13-of-13 from the foul line.

"Dalen kept making plays to keep us in it," DeSalme said.

Mike'l Henderson added 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Edmundson and Cevin Clark chipped in with 12 points apiece. Fellow sophomore Shemarri Allen added 11 points as all 11 Tigers that played scored in the game.

"It was a fun game to be a part of," DeSalme said. "It was big for us to get a sweep of the season series."

Independence shot 60 percent from the floor, but Cowley forced the Pirates into 32 turnovers. Madison Monroe led Independence with 27 points and eight rebounds.

Cowley will return home to play Neosho County Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Panthers are 6-9 overall and 4-9 in the Jayhawk East.

"It should be another good game because Neosho plays a fast style as well," DeSalme said. "We need to continue to win out."

Box score:

Cowley (123): Mike'l Henderson 4-14 3-4 15, Clarence King 4-5 0-1 8, Moun'tae Edmundson 4-14 0-0 12, Cevin Clark 4-10 1-2 12, Dalen Ridgnal 8-16 13-13 32, Kobe Campbell 2-3 1-1 6, Shemarri Allen 4-6 3-4 11, Raishaun Brown 2-5 4-5 8, Tarese Morse 1-2 0-0 2, Jacquez Yow 4-8 0-0 8, Josiah Harris 3-4 0-0 7, Biar Garang 1-1 0-2 2. Totals: 41-88 25-32 123.

Indy (115): Shamann Artis 4-7 6-6 16, Madison Monroe 8-13 10-11 27, Jonathan Mogbo 5-7 0-0 10, Tim Dalger 11-16 0-1 23, Jordan Alexander 2-2 3-3 7, Jaylen Bussey 0-0 0-0 0, Keeving Etienne 6-11 0-0 12, KeVarious Taylor 2-6 3-3 8, Carsimir Paul 0-0 0-0 0, Paul Mathews 2-4 3-4 7, Dennis Cash 2-4 1-2 5. Totals: 42-70 26-30 115.

Three-pointers: Cowley 16-48 (Edmundson 4-14, Henderson 4-11, Clark 3-9, Ridgnal 3-7, Campbell 1-1, Harris 1-1, Allen 0-2, Yow 0-2, King 0-1), Indy 5-9 (Artis 2-4, Monroe 1-1, Dalger 1-1, Taylor 1-1, Mathews 0-2). Rebounds: Cowley 41 (Ridgnal 12), Indy 54 (Monroe, Mogbo, Dalger 8). Assists: Cowley 19 (Henderson, Allen 4), Indy 17 (Mogbo 5). Turnovers: Cowley 18, Indy 32. Total fouls: Cowley 22, Indy 28. Fouled out: Dalger. Technicals: Yow.