’Hound women clean up boards in win over Allen

Fort Scott Community College’s women found the going a bit tough early on Saturday afternoon as they played host to Allen in a non-conference game at Arnold Arena.

The visiting Red Devils (2-7) led 8-6 early. But then the Greyhounds (7-1) slapped down full-court pressure and began to dominate the boards as they went on to a 94-68 victory.

Uniontown graduate Shalina Harper hit a 3-point shot from the left wing to kick off a 19-7 run that made it 25-15 with 1:20 left in the first quarter. The ’Hounds still weren’t shooting especially well, making just 8 of 19 first-quarter shots, but they didn’t allow the Red Devils many chances to score.

Allen scored the last 5 points of the quarter, which included a four-point play by Paige Jensen after she was fouled during a successful 3-point attempt with 44 seconds left that brought her team within 5 points. Then Melvia Seymore hit a 3-point shot of her own to start the second quarter to bring the Devils within 25-23.

But the furious defense the Greyhounds were playing didn’t allow Allen many scoring chances. A 6-0 run for Fort Scott made it 31-23 with 6:56 to go in the half.

Tajisha Moore and Ally McKenzie scored consecutive baskets for the ’Hounds in the last minute-plus of the half to make it 51-39 at the break.

After trading scores early in the third, Fort Scott went on a 11-3 run to make it 72-52 with less than a minute remaining. Allen scored the last 5 points but missed its first six field-goal attempts in the fourth as Fort Scott increased its lead. It was 89-64 before the Red Devils finally got their first field goal of the period from Jakira Wilson with 2:20 remaining.

Fort Scott’s post play led the way with Ja’Carria Ferrell scoring 16 points off the bench to lead the Greyhounds. Starting center Ally McKenzie added 14 points while reserve post Moore added 13. The three combined to make 19 of 32 field-goal attempts and haul down 23 rebounds. JonN’a McDonald added another 11 points as she made 4 of 5 field-goal tries and Harper finished with 10.

Wilson led Allen with 14 points followed by Gabby Guzman with 12 and Tunmi Amusa and ChrisAlee Patterson with 10 each. Amusa also had 10 rebounds for the Devils.

Fort Scott shot 44 percent from the field, making 35 of 79 field-goal attempts. Allen made only 35 percent of its shots on 20 of 57 after going 2 for 12 in the fourth quarter.

The Greyhounds dominated the boards, 61-35. The outrebounded Allen 21-9 in the fourth quarter alone. McKenzie hauled down 9 rebounds while Harper, Moore and Ferrell had 7 caroms each.

Fort Scott committed 21 turnovers but also dished 21 assists led by 8 from Jada Perry.

The Greyhounds faced the Saint Mary University junior varsity Tuesday at Leavenworth and also play this weekend at a classic in Chicago.

ALLEN: Guzman 4-10 4-5 12, Seymore 3-6 1-2 9, J.Wilson 4-11 6-8 14, Jensen 2-6 1-1 6, Walker 0-7 2-4 2, Amusa 3-7 4-5 10, Patterson 2-6 5-8 10, Verge 1-1 1-1 3, Tillis 1-3 0-0 2. TOTALS: 20-57 24-34 68.

FORT SCOTT: McDonald 4-5 0-2 11, Keller 0-2 0-0 0, Credit 0-1 2-2 2, Perry 0-4 0-0 0, Davis 2-5 3-6 7, Miller 2-3 0-0 4, Clark 3-9 1-2 9, Dwyer 0-2 2-2 2, Keeling 0-4 1-2 1, Harper 3-8 2-2 10, McKinney 2-4 0-0 5, McKenzie 6-10 2-6 14, Moore 6-10 1-3 13 Ferrell 7-12 2-4 16. TOTALS: 35-79 16-31 94.

Fort Scott..................... 25 26 21 22 — 94

Three-point field goals: Allen 4-19 (Seymore 2-3, Patterson 1-3, Jensen 1-5, Walker 0-3, Guzman 0-5), Fort Scott 8-20 (McDonald 3-4, Clark 2-3, Harper 2-5, McKinney 1-1, Dwyer 0-1, McKenzie 0-1, Ferrell 0-1, Keeling 0-4).

Total fouls: Allen 27, Fort Scott 25. Fouled out: None. Technical foul: Allen head coach.

Rebounds: Allen 35 (Amusa 10), Fort Scott 61 (McKenzie 9). Assists: Allen 8 (Guzman 3), Fort Scott 21 (Perry 8). Turnovers: Allen 18, Fort Scott 21. Steals: Allen 9 (Guzman 3, J.Wilson 3). Blocked shots: Allen 3 (Walker 2), Fort Scott 2 (Miller, McKenzie).