Lady Tigers ride strong defensive effort to 77-41 win over NOC-Tonkawa

After winning its season-opener at NOC-Tonkawa by a score of 73-61, the Lady Tigers had no problem getting past the Lady Mavericks on Tuesday as they led by as many as 41 points in the win.

Cowley scored 12 of the game's first 14 points and led 25-4 after one quarter of play. The Lady Tigers held NOC to 2-of-13 shooting while forcing nine turnovers in the game's first 10 minutes.

Cowley's lead would grow to 36-12 at the end of the first half, with NOC shooting just 16.7 percent (3-of-18) and committing 17 turnovers.

"I thought we played a complete game defensively," Cowley head coach Todd Clark said.

The Tigers continued their onslaught in the third quarter, outscoring the Mavericks, 16-4, to lead 63-22 heading into the final quarter of play.

With the insurmountable lead, Cowley emptied its bench in the fourth quarter and cruised to the 36-point win.

"Our defense helped lead to some easy baskets, and we did some nice things offensively too," Clark said.

The Tigers doubled up NOC on the boards (42-21)

Freshman Kallie Rickards from Derby came off the bench to lead all scorers with 16 points, while going 4-of-7 from three-point range.

"She really stepped up scoring-wise and does a good job of running the team," Clark said.

Sophomore Mallory Jackson added 11 points, and Cowley had 12 players score in the victory.

"We are trying to extend our bench and get them some experience," Clark said. "It is nice to have a lot of bodies to throw at people."

Dani Milliner led NOC-Tonkawa with 10 points.

Cowley will host the Kansas Wesleyan University JV on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

"We want to get off to another good start, guard, and hopefully the rest will take care of itself," Clark said. "We need to continue to improve."

Box score:

NOC-Tonkawa (41): Dani Milliner 4-9 2-2 10, Jasia Malolo 1-3 0-0 3, Amber Brazendale 2-6 5-6 9, Courtlyn Traxler 0-3 1-2 1, Kyra Criss 2-7 4-6 8, Ella Murphy 2-6 0-0 4, Caitlin Busch 0-4 0-0 0, Laura Liberal 0-2 0-0 0, Josey Carney 0-2 0-0 0, Viola Tadja 2-5 2-4 6, Joi Caldwell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 13-47 14-20 41.

Cowley (77): Zari Walker 3-8 0-0 6, Mallory Jackson 5-10 0-0 11, Aniyah Burney 2-7 1-2 6, Megan Simon 3-8 0-0 7, Kallie Rickards 6-10 0-0 16, Braylee Reed 1-3 2-2 4, Zuzanna Komor 1-5 0-0 3, Abigail Pedruzzi 0-0 0-0 0, Kalli Harbeson 1-2 0-0 3, Kierslynn Waggoner 2-5 0-0 4, Naya Burleson 0-2 0-0 0, Savannah Phillips 2-6 2-3 6, Yatzel Renteria 0-0 3-4 3. Totals: 30-72 8-11 77.

Three-pointers:

NOC 1-12 (Malolo 1-1, Milliner 0-2, Traxler 0-2, Busch 0-2, Carney 0-2, Liberal 0-1, Murphy 0-1, Brazendale 0-1), Cowley 9-30 (Rickards 4-7, Burney 1-5, Hendeson-Johnson 1-5, Komor 1-3, Jackson 1-2, Harbeson 1-2, Walker 0-2, Phillips 0-2, Waggoner 0-1, Reed 0-1). Rebounds: NOC 21 (Three players with 4), Cowley 42 (Burleson 7). Assists: NOC 4 (Four players with 1), Cowley 18 (Henderson-Johnson, Burleson). Turnovers: NOC 28, Cowley 16. Total fouls: NOC 10, Cowley 13. Fouled out: none. Technicals: Cowley.