Tigers stub their toe at Colby, fall 77-71

In a game between teams battling for seeding in the playoffs, the Cowley College men's basketball team fell 77-71 at Colby Community College on Monday.

The loss drops Cowley (14-13) into seventh place in the Jayhawk Conference with a record of 10-11. Colby (15-10) moves into a fifth place tie in the conference with Coffeyville at 10-9.

On Monday, neither team led by more than five points in a back-and-forth first half that saw Colby lead 36-34 at the halftime intermission.

Cowley had a strong first five minutes of the second half and led 47-41 following a jumper by freshman Christian Williams. However, the Trojans would score seven straight points to go back on top.

Cowley trailed by three (71-68) with two minutes left, but the Trojans went 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final 1:35 as they held on for the six-point win.

"It's hard to win a Jayhawk Conference road game," Cowley head coach Donnie Jackson said. "We battled hard, had lots of opportunities, but missed layups and untimely fouls cost us the game."

Cowley's bench out-scored Colby's reserves 26-4. However, the Tiger starters shot only 31 percent (16-of-51) from the floor, while Colby shot 55 percent as a team.

Clarence King led Cowley with 18 points, while reserves Xavier Washington, Christian Williams, and Emmanuel Austin scored eight points apiece.

Colby's Tyrone Marshall Jr. (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Ahmad Galimore (15 points, 10 rebounds) helped the Trojans out-rebound Cowley by 13.

"Credit to Colby. They had guys step up and make big plays for them," Jackson said. "Their front court is the best in the league and they showed it tonight."

Cowley will return home to face Butler Community College Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the team's homecoming game. The Grizzlies are 19-6 overall and 13-6 in the Jayhawk Conference.

"Everyone is playing for seeding right now," Jackson said. "We have got to find a way to rally the troops and protect home court versus Butler."

Box score:

Cowley (71): Xavier Valley 1-10 0-0 2, Kennedy Willis 3-4 1-2 7, Raishaun Brown 2-7 0-0 5, Mekhi Cameron 3-8 4-4 13, Clarence King 7-22 3-3 18, Xavier Washington 3-8 1-2 8, Emmanuel Austin 4-4 0-0 8, Christian Williams 3-5 0-0 8, Trevion Alexander 0-0 0-0 0, KJ Spiller 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 27-70 9-11 71.

Colby (77): Allen Mukeba 5-7 4-8 15, Tyrone Marshall Jr. 6-9 3-5 18, JJ White 6-14 2-3 17, Ahmad Galimore 5-7 4-4 15, Ahmad Johnson 4-11 0-0 8, Josh Cole 0-1 0-0 0, Tyrik King 2-2 0-0 4. Totals: 28-51 13-20 77.

Three-pointers: Cowley 8-27 (Cameron 3-6, Williams 2-3, King 1-6, Brown 1-5, Washington 1-2, Valley 0-5), Colby 8-18 (Marshall 3-5, White 3-5, Mukeba 1-1, Galimore 1-1, Johnson 0-5, Cole 0-1). Rebounds: Cowley 28 (Washington 7), Colby 41 (Marshall, Galimore 10). Assists: Cowley 8 (Brown 3), Colby 13 (Galimore 5). Turnovers: Cowley 5, Colby 15. Total fouls: Cowley 16, Colby 11. Fouled out: none. Technicals: none.