'Hound men fall just short of upsetting Ravens

Fort Scott Community College's men were one possession away from an upset of Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division-leading Coffeyville at Arnold Arena Wednesday night. But the Red Ravens made a defensive stand with under five seconds left to escape with a 67-66 victory.

The Greyhounds (0-11 East, 3-20 overall) entered the contest on a 15-game losing streak while Coffeyville had lost only once in conference play. Fort Scott has been down to seven players most games since play resumed after the holiday break. But they've shown glimpses of what they can do when everything comes together.

Wednesday night, they just needed five more seconds.

Fort Scott's Alex Barner (14) goes in for a layup as Coffeyville's Keith Biggers (42) looks on during the second half of play at Arnold Arena Wednesday night. Barner scored all 14 of his points in the second half as the Greyhounds fell to the Red Ravens, 67-66. (FSCC photo/Drew Johnson)

"This team doesn't surprise me," Fort Scott head coach Michael Cook said. "I've been saying for the last three weeks, we were right there. That's why I'm smiling right now, knowing this is what we can do. But they have to believe it. It has nothing to do with that we believe as a staff. They have to believe it and they kept fighting. I was proud of them and it was an honor to watch them fight and claw back."

The 'Hounds trailed 18-9 early in the first half after Coffeyville (10-1, 16-7) rained down some 3-pointers. But for over 8 1/2 minutes in the middle of the second half, Fort Scott held Coffeyville without a field goal while fighting back into contention.

The Greyhounds went on a 16-2 run starting at the 14-minute mark. Jamaal McCoy put Fort Scott ahead, 49-48, with 10:28 remaining when he found himself wide open for a layup. Alex Barner -- who scored all 14 of his points in the second half -- found an opening in the Red Ravens' zone for another layup. Then Robert Hatcher capped the run by converting a 3-point play with 8:53 to go.

After a stretch where the teams traded scores, Coffeyville's Kevin Broussard tied the score at 62-62 with 3:25 remaining. Ramell Taylor put the 'Hounds ahead with two free throws and Hatcher extended the margin to four when he hit a pair of technical free throws.

Albert Peterson brought Coffeyville within 66-64 when he hit a pair of free throws with 1:54 remaining.

Broussard hit a 3-point shot from the right side with 22 seconds to go to put the Ravens in front.

The 'Hounds tried to get a winning shot. But they had to call a time out when they couldn't inbound the ball with 5.2 seconds left. When they got the ball in after the time out, Stacy Wilson was able to steal the ball, preserving the win for Coffeyville.

Even though the Greyhounds lost, Cook feels that the way they played could be what the team needs to get into the win column.

"We have four more games at home," Cook said. "If we can win those four, I think we'll be right there. We have to go to Independence and to Cowley. But I think we can play with anybody when we execute and play defense."

Broussard, who hit 6 3-point shots, led all scorers with 20 points while Jermaine Bransford added 14 for the Ravens, who made 23 of 70 field-goal tries (33 percent) and outrebounded Fort Scott, 46-34.

Taylor had 17 points for the 'Hounds while Hatcher added 10. Fort Scott made 13 of 23 fielders in the second half and 24 of 48 for the game (50 percent). McCoy grabbed 10 rebounds

The Greyhounds will host Allen County Saturday in conference play at 4 p.m.

COFFEYVILLE: Hardyway 2-7 0-0 4, Johnson 1-3 0-0 2, Wilson 3-15 2-4 11, Broussard 7-16 0-0 20, Bransford 6-12 2-4 14, Townsend-Gant 1-6 0-0 3, Bowlin 0-1 0-0 0, Biggers 3-8 5-8 11, Peterson 0-2 2-2 2. TOTALS: 23-70 11-18 67.

FORT SCOTT: Mason 3-4 1-4 7, Hatcher 2-7 5-5 10, Brown 0-5 0-0 0, Taylor 7-10 2-3 17, Barner 6-12 1-3 14, McCoy 3-4 3-3 9, Buck 0-0 0-0 0, Gougler 3-6 0-0 9. TOTALS: 24-48 12-18 66.

Halftime: Coffeyville, 39-30.

Three-point field goals: Coffeyville 10-28 (Broussard 6-13, Wilson 3-8, Townsend-Gant 1-5, Bransford 0-1, Peterson 0-1), Fort Scott 6-19 (Gougler 3-5, Taylor 1-1, Hatcher 1-3, Barner 1-4, Mason 0-1, Brown 0-5).

Total fouls: Coffeyville 19, Fort Scott 17 . Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: Biggers, Coffeyville coach Herkelman.

Rebounds: Coffeyville 46 (Biggers 15), Fort Scott 34 (McCoy 10), Assists: Coffeyville 11 (Hardyway 4), Fort Scott 10 (Hatcher 5). Turnovers: Coffeyville 7, Fort Scott 16. Steals: Coffeyville 8 (Wilson 2), Fort Scott 4 (4 with 1 each). Blocked shots: Coffeyville 1 (Johnson), Fort Scott 1 (Barner).