Greyhound basketball swept in season openers

Fort Scott's Gary Floyd (4) brings the ball upcourt during the Greyhounds' season opener against Redlands at Arnold Arena Tuesday night. The Greyhounds lost 93-90 in overtime. They will be in Hutchinson for a 3-day classic beginning with a game against the host Blue Dragons Thrursday at 7:30 p.m. (FSCC photo)

Fort Scott Community College's basketball teams were swept in their season openers at Arnold Arena Tuesday night.

Greyhound women lost to Crowder College, 71-54. Fort Scott's men fell to Redlands College in overtime, 93-90.

No other details were available from the men's game due to a malfunction in the college's stats program.

Fort Scott freshman Danielle Wiese (20) tries to defend Crowder's Jordan Hunter during the first half of play Tuesday night at Arnold Arena, The Greyhounds fell to the Roughriders, 71-54. FSCC will play in a classic at Hutchinson this weekend, facing Pratt Friday afternoon and Hutchinson Saturday. (FSCC photo)

Women's head coach Diana Couch gave an overview of her team's game.

"I think (it) was a great learning experience," Couch said. "We were able to gauge our improvements and our weaknesses. We came out strong in the beginning of the (first) half and really followed the game plan then suddenly just dropped off.

"Second half we came back out focused and ready to go. We took charge and actually beat Crowder. Unfortunately we just could not battle back from the first-half deficit to close that gap."

Crowder led 38-18 at the half. Couch said their height was a factor as well as returning experience. The Roughriders had 10 returning players from last season compared to just one for Fort Scott.

"Our team really stepped up and handled themselves very well based on the number of freshman we have," Couch said. "However their playing experience was evident several times through the game."

Fort Scott's only returning player, Kendra Mattox, had 15 points for the Greyhounds. Couch noted that 3-point shooting hurt the team; the 'Hounds made only 1 of 15 triples in the first half.

Both Fort Scott teams will play at Hutchinson over the weekend in what jucos call "classics." This is not a tournament, but a gathering of teams to play two or three games.

Greyhound men will be on the court tonight at 7:30 p.m. against host Hutchinson, which was ranked No. 4 in the NJCAA's pre-season poll. They will face Weatherford (Texas) Friday at 3:30 p.m. and take on Lincoln Land (Ill.) Saturday at 3:30.

FSCC women will play Pratt Friday at 1:30 and No. 17 Hutchinson Saturday at 5:30.

Audio streams of each team's games versus Hutchinson can be heard at www.hutch.edu. On the home page, click "Athetics," then clock "Broadcast" on the next page.

Live stats may be available from the other games although there wasn't a link set up at press time.