Tigers celebrate back-to-back Jayhawk East titles with 137-101 win at Neosho

The No. 15-ranked Cowley College men's basketball team knew what was at stake as they entered Friday's game at Neosho County. With a win, the Tigers would clinch a share of its second straight Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division title and earn a bye in the first-round of the Region VI Tournament. Cowley came out with a vengeance and never let up in a dominating 137-101 win over the Panthers.

Cowley (18-4), winners of nine games in a row, finishes the regular season tied atop the Jayhawk East with Coffeyville with a conference mark of 18-2.

"Our sophomores were not going to let us lose during this past month," Cowley head coach Tommy DeSalme said. "Those guys took full ownership of this team.

On Friday, Cowley raced out to a 19-5 advantage and went into halftime with a commanding 70-49 lead.

"Our guys were really focused from the bus ride over and knew what was at stake," DeSalme said. "I am really proud of our guys, they had fun and attacked the moment."

After Neosho scored the first four points of the second half, the Tigers immediately pushed the lead back over 20 points and were never threatened again in the 36-point victory.

Shemarri Allen nearly had a triple double as the sophomore had 19 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while freshman  Kobe Campbell poured in a season-high 22 points off the bench.

Mike'l Henderson and Cevin Clark each drained five shots from long range and finished with 25 and 21 points, respectively.

Even on a night when leading scorer Dalen Ridgnal was held to eight points and 12 rebounds, Cowley had seven players score in double figures.

The Tigers' rained in 18 three-pointers and shot 54.4 percent from the floor.

Cowley also dominated the glass as they grabbed 29 offensive rebounds and out-rebounded Neosho 69-29. Sophomore Jacquez Yow had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and freshman Josiah Harris added 11 boards in 18 minutes.

"We absolutely owned the glass on both ends of the court," DeSalme said. "If we continue to do that it will add another dynamic to our team."

Neosho (8-14) finishes fifth out of seven teams in the Jayhawk East with a conference record of 6-14.

These teams could see each other again in the second-round of the Region VI Tournament as the Tigers will host the winner of the Neosho at Pratt contest played on Monday. Cowley, winners of 17 of its past 18 games, will host the winner of Monday's game at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

"Getting the bye puts us in a good situation and allows us to rest up for our game on Wednesday," DeSalme said.

Tiger fans are invited to stick around following Monday night's women's basketball game at 6:30 p.m. as the Tiger men will cut down the nets to celebrate their conference title and the NCAA Division I National Championship game will be played on the newly installed video boards.

Box score:

Cowley (137): Mike'l Henderson 8-12 4-4 25, Moun'tae Edmundson 4-10 0-0 10, Shemarri Allen 7-9 4-4 19, Cevin Clark 6-12 4-4 21, Dalen Ridgnal 2-8 3-4 8, Kobe Campbell 8-10 4-4 22, Raishaun Brown 4-7 3-4 12, Cameron Robins 0-0 4-4 4, Titas Mikalopas 0-0 0-0 0, Jayden McCray 0-0 0-0 0, Tarese Morse 1-2 0-0 2, Jacquez Yow 2-5 6-10 11, Josiah Harris 1-4 1-3 3, Biar Garang 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 43-79 33-41 137.

Neosho (101): Team totals: 34-75 20-29 101.