From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Pittsburg State’s fast start was no match for Arkansas-Monticello’s furious finish.

The Cotton Blossoms, with starting guards Andrea Dubose and Kristi Martin combining for 24 second-half points, rallied past Pittsburg State 83-71 Saturday in the Arkansas-Monticello Classic.

The Gorillas, 4-2, led by as many as 13 points in the first half, at 29-16. But Arkansas-Monticello cut the deficit to 41-39 by halftime, then took charge after intermission.

The Cotton Blossoms, 2-2, forced 19 second-half turnovers and led by as many as 14 points on two occasions.

Marissa Poppe led Pittsburg State with 15 points, DePrice Taylor and Brianna Buchanan added 12 and 10, respectively.

DuBose had 19 to pace four Arkansas-Monticello players in double figures.

NEO stuns KCKCC

COFFEYVILLE, Kan. — Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, minus three of its guards, still rallied past No. 21-ranked Kansas City (Kan.) Community College 80-78 in the Jayhawk Shoot-Out at Coffeyville Community College.

Skye Rees, 6-foot-2 freshman, scored 21 points to spark NEO. Freshman Megan Fraley had 16 points and Webb City product Tasha Hedgecorth scored 13.

The Lady Norse, 7-3, overcame a 40-36 halftime deficit despite the loss of Kaycee Donelson, Autumn Thompson and Misty Haley to injury and illness.

Alex McGrory had 24 points for KCKCC and Anne Borgertpoepping added 16.

The Norse were scheduled to play Independence (Kan.) Community College late Saturday.

Ambassadors swept