NEVADA, Mo. — Jameeshia Armstrong’s torrid first half helped keep Allen Community College within reach of their hosts from Cottey College Tuesday night.
Her teammates helped pick up the scoring load after intermission.
Meanwhile, “the Red Devils came out a bit more resilient and defensive-minded in the second half,” head coach Katie Mahoney said.
Within five minutes of the second period, the Red Devils were in the lead and never looked back in a 94-89 victory.
The win is Allen’s second straight to start the 2013-14 season.
Armstrong scored 21 of Allen’s 44 first-half points to help stay within shouting distance of Cottey.
“Cottey came out on fire and ready to play,” Mahoney said.
The Comets scored 52 points in the first half, but only 37 after the break.
Allen stretched its lead to 11 by the 8-minute mark before Cottey fought back to keep things interesting.
Allen’s free throw shooting helped secure the victory. The Red Devils were 19 of 24 from the line.
Armstrong wound up with 34 points on 12 of 16 shooting, including a mind-boggling 5 of 6 from 3-point range. She also pulled in 12 rebounds with four assists. O’ceonna Weston followed with 20 points — 10 of 12 from the floor — and seven rebounds. Briana Barrett had 16 points, including 6 of 6 free throw shooting. Erika Essman scored 13. Nicole Salazar had six points, four steals and three assists.
Both teams were red hot from the field. Allen wound up shooting 60 percent, 33 of 55, and hit 9 of 17 3-pointers. Cottey shot 57 percent from the field and hit 10 of 22 treys.
Allen is in Hutchinson Friday and Saturday for the Lady Dragon Classic. The Red Devils take on Tabor’s junior varsity at 5:30 p.m. Friday and host Hutchinson at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Allen (44-50—94)
Cottey (52-37—89)
Allen (FG/3pt-FT: Salazar 0/1-3-4-6, Armstrong 7/5-5-1-34, Molisee 2-1-3-5, Weston 10-0-3-20, Essman 0/3-4-1-13, Barrett 5-6-4-16. TOTALS: 24/9-19-16-94.
ACC downs Cottey
