NEVADA, Mo. - Despite a career-high 17 points from
Peyton Dearing, William Woods (13-11, 7-8 AMC) wasn't able to overcome a messy first half on Thursday night, falling 65-49 to Cottey College (15-10, 7-8 AMC) on the road. Woods turned the ball over 10 times in the first half to just five in the game for the Comets.
The game got off to a sloppy start for both teams. Cottey missed its first five shots spread over four possessions, but the Owls turned the ball over on its first two chances, not even getting a shot until the 8:11 mark.
Natalie Thomas drew contact as she hit a runner in the lane, but uncharacteristically missed the three-point play chance.
The 2-0 lead was the only one of the game for WWU, as Cottey finally found the range with a three-pointer from Claudia Hadlock putting the Comets in front at the 6:45 mark.
After a 17-10 first quarter lead and a single free throw make by Sara Montesdeoca, Dearing put the Owls on her back and singlehandedly pulled Woods within two points. The junior converted all three free throw attempts at the 8:21 mark after drawing contact, then connected again at 6:45 and 5:18 to bring WWU within a 21-19 deficit.
Cottey reeled off 11 unanswered points to close out the first half with a 32-19 lead, and despite Woods closing the gap to 37-33 midway through the third, the Comets outlasted WWU.
Woods shot 38.0 percent (19-50) from the floor to Cottey's 34.4 percent (22-64) pace, but the Comets doubled the Owls success rate from three-point range (WWU 4-19, Cottey 8-19) and had as many free throw makes (13) as Woods had attempts.
The Owls close out the road portion of the schedule on Saturday, taking on Columbia College in a 1 p.m. tip.
