In Rematch of NJCAA Championship Game, Ravens Defeat Cowley 80-76 in OT

Arkansas City, Kan. - In a twist to the opening of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) schedule, the #RV Coffeyville Community College Men's Basketball Team opened up their 2021-22 KJCCC schedule on the road with a rematch of last year's NJCAA title game.  However, a new season equated out to the same result, the Red Ravens defeated the Tigers of Cowley College 80-76 in overtime.  With the victory, the Red Ravens' overall record moves to 4-3 including the 1-0 record in KJCCC play.

In revenge mode, The Cowley Tigers were wanting this one.  The early game energy pushed the Tigers out to a 14-4 lead over the Ravens barely four minutes into the game.  The rest of the first half saw Coffeyville digging their way out of the early game hole, going into halftime the Ravens had caught the Tigers and posted a 35-33  halftime lead.

In the second half, the Ravens nursed a 5-8 point lead throughout the second half.  Cowley was able to tie the game up at 65-65 with a minute to go in regulation.  After Red Raven sophomore Deng Mayar connected on a two-point shot as well as sinking a 1/2 free throws, Coffeyville had a 68-65 lead with 16 seconds remaining.  Cowley's last possession resulted in a missed three-pointer but the rebound went to Cowley who pushed it out for one last three-point try at the buzzer that they were able to convert.  With a 68-68 tie, the game went into overtime. 

Free throws were the key in overtime with Coffeyville connecting on 6/7 from the charity stripe to outlast Cowley in the overtime period to earn the 80-76 victory.

Stat wise Coffeyville outshot Cowley 48% to 40%, the Ravens also out-rebounded Cowley 34-25 which resulted in a lead in second-chance points 14-10.

Coffeyville placed five players in double figures with sophomore Love Bettis leading the way with 19 points.  Sophomore Deng Mayar followed a huge 15 points and 13 rebounds for the double-double.  Sophomore Noah Butler connected for 14 points and freshman Dayshawn Wiley contributed 13 points (hitting 3/7 from the three-point line).  Freshman Jules Bikoy rounded out the double-digit scoring with 10 points.

Next up for Coffeyville will be another KJCCC road game.  The Ravens will travel out to Garden City Kansas to play the Broncbusters of Garden City Community College.  The Raven/Broncbuster matchup will take place on Saturday, November 20th with tipoff scheduled in Garden City for 4:00 pm.