Tigers are Region Champions! Headed back to national tournament

The wait is over! After 64 years since its previous Region VI title, the No. 2-seed Cowley College men's basketball team defeated top-seeded Hutchinson 116-107 in the championship game of the Region VI Tournament played Saturday at Friends University in Wichita, KS. With the win, the Tigers qualify to compete at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament April 19-24 in Hutchinson, KS.

The Tigers rallied from a three-point halftime deficit to win its 12^th game in a row.

"The moment was big for us in the first half, but we tightened some things up in the second half," Cowley head coach Tommy DeSalme said. "The one thing I challenged them with at halftime was how bad do you want that (region) championship ring? We are getting a big fat ring after not having been region champions since 1957."

On Saturday, Tiger sophomore Dalen Ridgnal hit three treys in the game's first three minutes as Cowley raced out to a 14-9 lead. Hutchinson would go back in front 20-19 on a dunk by Chris Robinson with 12:30 left in the first half.

A three-point play by Josh Baker, who did not play in the first meeting between the teams back in February, gave Hutchinson a 32-27 advantage with 8:21 remaining before halftime. The Blue Dragons' lead would grow to as many as eight points in the opening half before settling for a 53-50 halftime advantage.

Ridgnal led Cowley with 17 first half points, while Robinson had 17 for the Blue Dragons. Hutchinson out-shot Cowley 52.5 percent to 41.9 percent from the floor in the first half, but Cowley made 10-of-23 three-point attempts and Hutchinson went 0-for-4.

Trailing 57-50 one minute into the second half, Cowley used a 15-4 run to go back ahead by four. The run was capped by a four-point play by Shemarri Allen. The Tigers' lead grew to 92-85 following a three-pointer by Hutchinson transfer Clarence King with 8:30 left to play and increased to double digits (100-89) on a follow dunk by Ridgnal with 6:40 remaining.

Once again, Hutchinson answered with eight straight points to make it a one-possession game at 100-97. However, Tiger freshman Josiah Harris stopped the run with a basket to make the score 102-97 with 3:49 left to play.

"Josiah was absolutely huge for us," DeSalme said. "He made some big buckets and stepped up defensively."

A three-pointer by Moun'tae Edmundson, the Tigers' 20^th of the game, put Cowley up eight and had Cowley smelling a second straight national tournament berth. The Tigers made their free-throws down the stretch and an emphatic slam dunk by Jacquez Yow in the closing seconds sealed the 116-107 win.

Ridgnal led all scorers with 28 points and 10 rebounds as six Cowley players scored in double figures. Henderson had 23 points and eight assists and Shemarri Allen added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.

"It's all about winning," Henderson said. "You have got to be a different kind of guy to play this style of basketball. The crowd gave us energy and their enthusiasm doesn't go unnoticed."

Hutchinson (18-6) was led by Josh Baker's 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Cowley made 20 three-point attempts to Hutchinson's two as the Tigers won their 12^th game in a row and improved to 21-4 on the season.

"These guys can put daggers in you from 30-feet out," DeSalme said.

DeSalme was proud of this Tiger team, which did something that had not been accomplished since the 1956-57 season. That 1956-57 team went all the way to the national championship game before losing.

"We have had a lot of good kids come through the program and I am glad it is these sophomores that got us the Region title," DeSalme said.

DeSalme said it took everybody involved with the program to accomplish what this team has done this season.

"My assistant coach (Eric) Nitsche has helped turn this into a national program, he does so much that he doesn't get recognition for," DeSalme said. "From our athletic administration, to our trainers, to Dr. (Dennis) Rittle, it takes a village. We will need our fan base in Hutchinson."

DeSalme said his team will be ready to make some noise at the National Tournament.

"This is a special team," DeSalme said. "We deserve a pretty high-seed when you look at our total body of work. I will put this league up against anybody. We have been in playoff mode since we last lost at Coffeyville. I am looking forward to taking this team on the national stage."

Box score:

Cowley (116): Mike'l Henderson 8-16 3-4 23, Moun'tae Edmundson 4-8 0-0 11, Shemarri Allen 6-12 3-4 16, Cevin Clark 3-7 1-2 10, Dalen Ridgnal 9-14 5-7 28, Kobe Campbell 0-2 0-0 0, Clarence King 1-3 0-0 2, Raishaun Brown 4-10 0-0 10, Tarese Morse 0-1 0-0 0, Jacquez Yow 4-8 0-0 9, Josiah Harris 3-6 0-0 6. Totals: 42-87 12-17 116.

Hutchinson (107): Majok Kuath 8-11 0-0 16, Stephan Gabriel 3-7 1-3 7, Jaden Okon 9-13 0-0 18, Isaiah Bujdoso 2-5 1-1 5, Matt Mayers 5-10 2-3 12, Bryant Selebangue 1-2 1-2 3, Chris Robinson 6-10 10-12 22, Josh Baker 7-16 8-12 24. Totals: 41-74 23-33 107.

Three-pointers: Cowley 20-41 (Ridgnal 5-8, Henderson 4-8, Edmundson 3-7, Clark 3-7, Brown 2-4, King 1-2, Allen 1-2, Yow 1-2, Campbell 0-1), Hutchinson 2-10 (Baker 2-9, Gabriel 0-1). Rebounds: Cowley 37 (Ridgnal 10), Hutchinson 51 (Baker 10). Assists: Cowley 22 (Henderson 8), Cowley 19 (Baker 5). Turnovers: Cowley 10, Hutchinson 17. Total fouls: Cowley 25, Hutchinson 18. Fouled out: none. Technicals: Bujdoso, Yow.