JEFFERSON CITY ---- Cottey's 2016-17 basketball campaign ended Thursday night in the semifinals of the NJCAA Division II Region 16 Tournament semifinals, as the fourth-seeded Comets were downed 80-56 by the top-seeded St. Louis Community College Lady Archers .

"I can't begin to express the appreciation I have for this sophomore class," Cottey head coach Stephanie Beason said. "They'll be a difficult group for us to replace, for numerous reason."

Cottey (8-13) was able to stay close early, as the Comets trailed 16-15 at the conclusion of the first quarter, before the Lady Archers grabbed a 28-25 halftime advantage.

Led by sophomore guard-forward Shamara Glover, St. Louis turned up the heat, outscoring Cottey 28-19 in the third quarter, as the Lady Archers went on top 56-44.

St. Louis then pulled away in the final frame, doubling up Cottey 24-12 for the final 24-point margin. Glover tallied a game-high 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, to go along with seven rebounds. The Lady Archers' point guard Ellisha Davis added 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

For Cottey, freshman guard Destiney Teniente finished with a team-high 18 points while knocking down four 3-pointers. Teniente also registered four rebounds and three assists. Comets' leading scorer Kelsey Acton was held to six points (2-of-12 FG, 1-7 3-Pt). Meanwhile, sophomore Kasey Acton and freshman Malory Moles chipped in 10 pointa apiece. The Comets shot just 37 percent from the field as a team (22-of-60).

The Lady Archers pounded Cottey on the glass, outrebounding the Comets 53-31 as Lady Archers' 5-foot-10 forward Chrishana Wilson hit the glass for a game-high 14 rebounds.

Play-in game

The Comets hammered Wentworth Military Academy 79-39 in Tuesday night's home play-in game.

"We did a great job playing as a team this evening," Beason said. "It was also nice to send the sophomores off with a win on their last opportunity to play on their home court."

Cottey opened the game on a 28-10 extended run, before grabbing a 37-18 halftime lead. Cottey's lead swelled to 30 after three quarters of play, as the Comets soared to victory.

Cottey's well-balanced offensive attack was led by sophomores Kelsey Acton and Cheyenne Ortiz. The guard-center duo combined for 35 points, while Teniente pitched in with 11.

Returning players

The Comets are tentatively scheduled to return: Teniente, Moles, Katey Story, Alex Alvarez, and Kim Robles for the 2017-2018 season.

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Comets conclude season with Region 16 tourney loss - Nevada Herald