From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
Ozark Christian, its men taking a 93-91 decision, won both basketball games in the Manhattan (Kan.) Christian College Classic on Saturday.
The OCC women (2-2) won 40-24 against St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
The OCC men (4-0) posted a 93-91 win against Lincoln (Ill.) Christian as Drew Hanson sank two free throws with 3.1 seconds left.
The OCC men, who trailed 46-42 at the half, received 28 points from Steven Tackett, 16 from Clancy Allmoslecher and 15 from Paden Bennett.
Tackett’s 11-for-16 accuracy from the field, including 4 of 6 treys keyed the Ambassadors’ 54 percent shooting from the field.
Jon Wallace poured in 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Lincoln. Chris Lawson added 24 points.
The OCC women’s game was unusual because it was played with a running clock. The opposing team was some 30 minutes late for the scheduled start.
Melea Cook had 13 points and eight rebounds for OCC. It extended an 18-15 halftime advantage.
OCC resumes in Joplin with a nonconference home doubleheader on Dec. 1 — starting at 5 p.m. with the women’s game — against Union of Lincoln, Neb.
Crowder Classic
NEOSHO, Mo. — The Lady ’Riders improved to 5-2 behind a balanced scoring attack by beating Southwestern Illinois-Belleville 59-54.
Grayson (Texas) defeated North Arkansas 78-71 in overtime in the first game in Bob Sneller Gymnasium.
Crowder, which led 31-28 at the half, was led in scoring by Khyrstyn Brumley and Kelsey Hullinger with 12 points apiece. Sierra McSpadden and Kallie Flood added 9 and 8, respectively.
Haylee Althoff had four 3s in scoring 19 for Southwestern Illinois.
Grayson’s Alexandria O’Neal scored 14 to lead three players reaching double figures. Jo Beth Williams tallied 28 for North Arkansas.
Grayson squandered a 38-22 halftime lead. It was 62-62 entering the overtime.
Cottey Classic
NEVADA, Mo. — The Comets, with five players scoring in double figures, improved their record to 3-4 by beating Redlands 69-54.
Redlands, El Reno, Okla., trailed Cottey 40-30 at intermission.
North Central Missouri of Trenton defeated Rhema Bible of Broken Arrow (Okla.) 76-60 in the opening game in the Hinkhouse.
Natascha Lord, from Waynesville, Mo., paced Cottey with 16 points. Bailey Beale added 14, Tessa Porter (McDonald County) 12 and Amanda Sanders and Alex Noble (Springfield Kickapoo) 10 apiece.
For Redlands, Hannah Weldon had four treys among 18 points and Shalay Stancle netted 13.
Lauren Rackers, a 5-7 freshman from Taos, Mo., tallied 20 for North Central Missouri. Kayna Daniel poured in 24 for Rhema Bible.
PSU bows
DENTON, Texas — The Texas Woman’s Pioneers capitalized on a late scoring spree and Pittsburg State turnovers to nip the Gorillas 71-69 during the DFW Marriott Champions Circle Pioneer Premier tournament.
The Pioneers outscored PSU 18-5 in the last five minutes of the game after trailing 58-45 with 7:57 left and 33-31 at intermission.
The Gorillas commited 29 turnovers and could only connect on three of 17 shots from the three-point line.
Seniors DePrice Taylor and Maya Onikute each turned in double-doubles for PSU. Taylor scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds, while Onikute netted 11 points and also had 10 rebounds.
Megan Hashman led the Pioneers with 18 points.
The Gorillas (1-2) will host Arkansas-Fort Smith at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
