Turnovers haunt Lady Tigers in 69-57 road loss

Forcing the Cowley College women's basketball team into a season-high 30 turnovers, the Seward County Saints defeated the Lady Tigers 69-57 Saturday in Liberal, KS.

The loss drops Cowley's record to 0-4 on the road this season. The Lady Tigers are now 7-5 overall and 3-4 in the Jayhawk Conference, while Seward improves to 7-5 overall and 5-3 in conference play.

On Saturday, Cowley led 14-13 at the end of the first quarter and increased its lead to 22-15 following a basket by Martyna Kowalska with 6:26 left in the first half. Despite the strong start, Seward would close the half on a 14-6 run to take a 29-28 halftime lead.

Seward's lead would grow to 46-39 heading into the fourth quarter. A three-pointer by Cowley sophomore Baylee Fincher, to open the final quarter, pulled Cowley within 46-42. However, Seward answered with a 16-2 run to lead by as many as 18 points in the 12-point victory.

Every Cowley starter had at least four turnovers as Seward was credited with 17 steals.

"We could not handle Seward's pressure and could not get back into the game in the fourth quarter," Cowley head coach Todd Clark said. "We just have not been able to finish games on the road."

Halima Salat made 6-of-10 three-point attempts and led the Saints with 22 points.

Sophomore post player Martyna Kowalska was the lone Cowley player to score in double figures as she finished with 20 points and nine rebounds.

Cowley out-rebounded Seward 45-27 and out-shot the Lady Saints 42.1 percent to 33.8 percent from the floor. However, Cowley was out-scored 15-5 at the free-throw line as the Lady Tigers made only 5-of-12 free-throw attempts.

"You can't shoot it that poorly and expect to win," Clark said.

Cowley will return home where they are 6-1 on the season. The Lady Tigers will face Garden City Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the final game of the first semester. The Lady Broncbusters are 10-2 overall and 5-2 in the Jayhawk Conference.

"This is a huge game. We have got to take better care of the basketball and figure out a way to play better," Clark said.

Box score: Milena Fromming 1-5 1-2 4, Baylee Fincher 3-9 0-0 9, Carson Dean 3-10 1-2 7, Shamahra Henderson 4-9 0-0 8, Martyna Kowalska 9-16 2-6 20, Onnahili Williams 2-2 0-0 4, Lorette Chene 0-0 0-0 0, Callie Scott 2-3 0-0 4, Jana Radovanovic 0-1 0-0 0, Lexi Rose 0-2 1-2 1. Totals: 24-57 5-12 57.

Seward (69): Zhane Thompson 6-16 5-8 19, Sierra Lynch 6-11 5-7 17, Halima Salat 8-14 0-0 22, Hulda Joaquim 1-8 3-5 5, Kynnan Shields 2-11 0-0 4, Bri Linnear 0-1 0-0 0, Halle Payton 0-0 0-0 0, Jailyn Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Sydney Wetlaufer 0-3 2-2 2, De'Shawnti Thomas 0-4 0-0 0. Totals: 23-68 15-22 69.

Three-pointers: Cowley 4-19 (Fincher 3-6, Fromming 1-5, Dean 0-7, Rose 0-1), Seward 8-24 (Salat 6-10, Thompson 2-7, Wetlaufer 0-3, Joaquim 0-2, Lynch 0-1, Thomas 0-1). Rebounds: Cowley 45 (Dean 12), Seward 27 (Joaquim 6). Assists: Cowley 9 (Dean 4), Seward 10 (Lynch, Salat 3). Turnovers: Cowley 30, Seward 20. Total fouls: Cowley 19, Seward 12. Fouled out: Dean. Technicals: none.