Cowley uses outside shooting to defeat Hutchinson 113-99

Out-scoring Hutchinson Community College 57-0 from three-point range, the No. 23-ranked Cowley College men's basketball team defeated the Blue Dragons 113-99 Wednesday inside W.S. Scott Auditorium.

Cowley, winners of five games in a row, is now 6-3 overall and 6-1 in the Jayhawk East. The loss drops Hutchinson's record to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the Jayhawk West.

Cowley went 10-23 from three-point range in the opening half, while Hutchinson missed its only two three-point attempts as the Tigers led 56-47 after the first 20 minutes of play.

Hutchinson Community College transfer Clarence King scored nine first half points and provided the Tigers with a spark off the bench.

After Hutchinson cut Cowley's lead to 103-97 following a basket by Majok Kueth with 1:45 left to play, the Tigers went 10-of-10 from the foul line to seal the win.

Cowley would hit nine more three-pointers in the second half, while Hutchinson missed its only second half attempt from beyond the arc. The Tigers also forced the Blue Dragons into 31 turnovers and out-scored Hutchinson 48-11 on points off turnovers.

"It was a real contrast of style with Hutchinson's size and our ability to shoot from outside," Cowley head coach Tommy DeSalme said. "We wanted to win the points off turnovers and the three-point line and we were able to do that."

Sophomore Mike'l Henderson scored 18 of his season-high 29 points in the second half to lead the Tigers.

"Mike'l played with great pace, energy and leadership," DeSalme said. "He made some big shots for us to help keep Hutchinson at bay."

Fellow sophomore Cevin Clark went 5-of-11 from three-point range and finished with 19 points, while Moun'tae Edmundson went 6-of-11 from long range and added 18 points.

Dalen Ridgnal chipped in with 17 points and five boards as the talented sophomore failed to record a double-double for the first time this season.

The Tigers had nine players score in the win.

"This game was a real testament to the depth that we have," DeSalme said.

Hutchinson big man Matt Mayers was nearly unstoppable inside as he finished with 44 points and 14 rebounds as he and Kueth combined for 66 of the Blue Dragons' 99 points. Mayers finished 15-of-20 from the floor and 14-of-14 from the foul line.

However, the Blue Dragons inability to shoot the ball from the outside would be its downfall.

Cowley will play its final regular season game against Jayhawk West opponents when they play at Pratt Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Beavers are 2-5 overall and 1-5 in the Jayhawk West.

"We need to find a way to win and finish off the West go round with a 7-1 mark," DeSalme said.

Box score:

Hutchinson (99): Majok Kueth 10-17 2-4 22, Stephen Gabriel 2-4 1-3 5, Jaden Okon 2-6 2-2 6, Isaiah Bujdoso 2-7 0-0 4, Matt Mayers 15-20 14-14 44, Bryant Selebangue 2-5 1-2 5, Donovan Taylor 0-0 0-0 0, Chris Robinson 5-8 3-5 13, Izaiah Hale 0-1 0-0 0, Daniel Braster 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 38-68 23-30 99.

Cowley (113): Moun'tae Edmundson 6-12 0-0 18, Shemarri Allen 2-5 2-2 7, Cevin Clark 5-12 4-4 19, Dalen Ridgnal 6-12 4-5 17, Biar Garang 0-0 0-0 0, Kobe Campbell 1-2 2-2 4, Mike'l Henderson 7-18 11-13 29, Clarence King 3-6 1-2 9, Raishaun Brown 0-1 0-0 0, Tarese Morse 0-2 0-0 0, Jacquez Yow 2-3 1-2 5, Josiah Harris 2-3 1-2 5. Totals: 34-76 26-32 113.

Three-pointers: Hutchinson 0-3 (Okon 0-1, Robinson 0-1, Bujdoso 0-1), Cowley 19-43 (Edmundson 6-11, Clark 5-11, Henderson 4-10, King 2-4, Ridgnal 1-3, Allen 1-1, Campbell 0-1, Yow 0-1). Rebounds: Hutchinson 51 (Mayers 14), Cowley 29 (Edmundson, Ridgnal 5). Assists: Hutchinson 10 (Robinson 7), Cowley 23 (Henderson 6). Turnovers: Hutchinson 31, Cowley 16. Total fouls: Hutchinson 24, Cowley 25. Fouled out: Gabriel, Harris. Technicals: none.