Through the first 25 minutes of play Wednesday it was tough to tell which team was leading the Jayhawk Eastern Division and which one was winless in conference play.
Allen County Community College’s Red Devils stayed right with visiting Cowley County Community College’s Tigers. The Tigers led by four at halftime.
The Red Devils had the first two baskets — one by Aeriss McNeese and one by Jazmynn Johnson — of the second half tying the game. A three-point play by Kynesha Nisbett pulled the Red Devils even again at 37-37 at the 15:47 mark.
Then the wheels came off in a six-minute span for the Red Devils. In that time, the Tigers used a 21-point surge to take control on their way to a 72-51 win.
“When we get a little shaky, it takes us awhile to get back to even keel,” said Sacha Santimano, who was coaching her first game officially as ACCC interim head coach. She had coached the previous 2 1/2 games for the Red Devils.
“These players are still growing every day. I’m proud how we played and didn’t give up. We had a game plan and stuck with it.”
Johnson scored to break the Cowley County run at the 9:31 mark. From then on, each team had 14 points.
The loss was Allen County’s 17th straight. The Red Devils are 0-9 in Jayhawk East play and 2-18 overall.
The Red Devils host their third straight home game Saturday. Neosho County Community College (1-8, 3-18) comes into the ACCC gym. Allen County lost to Neosho County 56-52 in overtime in December.
“We’re going to turn that corner. The players are making positive strides. We will be prepared to play Neosho on Saturday,” Santimano.
Cowley County stands alone atop the Jayhawk East at 9-0 and 16-5.
Rackell Goldson came off the ACCC bench to lead the Red Devils with 16 points and eight rebounds. Johnson had 15 points, including 5 of 5 at the free-throw line.
Allen County shot 35 percent, 16 of 46, from the field. The Red Devils sank 16 of 18 free throws.
Maurissa Shaffer and Danielle Best had two assists each. Nicole Swick made two steals.
Cowley County shot 42 percent, 26 of 62, from the field. The Tigers were 13 of 22 from the line.
Breanna Bryant and Maylisa Johnson had 14 points each for Cowley County. Chynna Ramelb added 11 points. The Tigers connected for seven three-pointers in the game.
Santimano is being helped during games by ACCC men’s head coach Anwar Perry. She said Perry and ACCC volleyball assistant coach Whitney Falkenstien are providing help as she takes over the head coaching duties.
Allen County (27-24—51) (FG/3-pt): Shaffer 1-0-0-2, Walker 0-1-4-1, Swick 0-0-1-0, Goldson 3/2-4-1-16, Best 0/1-4-1-7, McNeese 1-0-4-2, Johnson 5-5-2-15, Nisbett 3-2-4-8. TOTALS: 13/3-16-17-51.
Cowley County (31-41—72) (FG/3-pt): Bryant 2/2-4-2-14, Silva 1/2-1-1-9, Barton 2-1-2-5, Vierya 1-1-0-3, Ramelb 4/1-0-1-11, Murray 2-0-2-4, T. Peetoom 1/1-3-2-8, D. Peetoom 0-2-3-2, Johnson 5/1-1-1-14, Angell 0-0-1-0, Cannon 1-0-1-2. TOTALS: 19/7-13-16-72.
Red Devil women push Tigers in loss
