'Hounds win 5th straight

Fort Scott's James Fleming (5) shoots a 3-pointer over the defense of Highland's Martell Collins during the first half of play at Arnold Arena Tuesday night. Fleming scored 24 points to lead the Greyhounds to an 81-76 victory over the Scotties. (Kenny Felt/Exclusive to the Tribune)

For the first time since November-December of 2006, Fort Scott Community College's men have won five straight games. No. 5 was an 81-76 victory over Highland at Arnold Arena Tuesday night that also puts the Greyhounds at 2-0 in Division II seeding and was the Scotties' first loss of the season.

The game counted in Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division play as well, giving the 'Hounds (5-2) their first win in a conference opener in four seasons.

James Fleming scored 24 points to lead Fort Scott while Ray Ray Chase added 13 on 6-of-8 field-goal shooting, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked 9 shots. Gary Floyd put in 12 points and Kevin House finished with 11.

Fort Scott looked to take control at the 10-minute mark of the first half, holding a 23-13 lead. But the Scotties (0-1 division, 0-1 district, 5-1 overall) went on a 13-0 run and held the 'Hounds without a point for almost 4 1/2 minutes.

Highland led 33-31 at halftime but Fort Scott hit 7 of its first 10 shots from the field to start the second half and went up 48-41 with 14:46 to go.

Both teams then went into slumps. Fort Scott missed its next 7 field-goal tries and Highland made only one in nearly nine minutes. But the Scotties began to catch up by making 9 of 10 free throws in about three minutes to take a 52-48 lead.

Fleming gave Fort Scott the lead for good, 72-70, on a layup with 1;17 to go. Highland's Kris Smith was called for charging at the other and and House connected on a wide-open three from the left side with 41.8 seconds left.

Martell Collins, who scored 19 points for Highland before fouling out, brought the Scotties within 77-74 on a 3-pointer with 21.2 to go. But Floyd made four straight free throws to clinch the game with 5.6 seconds left.

NOTE: The box score has been changed to reflect corrections noted after the Tribune went to press Tuesday night.

HIGHLAND: Smith 5-17 6-10 17, Neely 3-16 9-11 16, Funderburke 1-2 0-0 2, Walker 6-12 2-2 14, Collins 6-16 3-5 17, Young 0-3 1-2 1, Melvin 0-0 0-0 0, Fultz 0-1 0-0 0, Waterman 0-2 0-0 0, Ellis 3-4 2-2 9, King 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 24-73 23-32 76.

FORT SCOTT: Samuels 3-10 1-2 8, Chase 6-8 1-3 13, Floyd 3-4 5-7 12, Fleming 7-17 7-7 24, House 4-9 2-4 11, Wright 0-2 0-0 0, Adams 1-4 0-0 2, Danner 2-8 2-2 7, Stoneking 0-1 0-0 0, Hall 2-4 0-0 4. TOTALS: 28-67 18-25 81.

Halftime: Highland, 33-31

Three-point field goals: Highland 5-17 (Collins 2-4, Smith 1-3, Ellis 1-2, Neely 1-5, Walker 0-1, Young 0-1, Waterman 0-1), Fort Scott 7-22 (Fleming 3-7, Samuels 1-2, Floyd 1-2, House 1-3, Danner 1-4, Wright 0-1, Adams 0-3).

Total fouls: Highland 23, Fort Scott 19. Fouled out: Collins. Technical fouls: Collins, Samuels.

Rebounds: Highland 51 (Walker 10), Fort Scott 55 (Chase 13). Assists: Highland 9 (3 with 2 each), Fort Scott 17 (House 7). Turnovers: Highland 14, Fort Scott 17. Steals: Highland 10 (Smith 5), Fort Scott 9 (House 3, Samuels 3). Blocked shots: Highland 1 (Smith), Fort Scott 9 (Chase 9).