From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
Melea Cook and Brittany Owen combined for 45 points as Ozark Christian College knocked off No. 4-ranked Manhattan Christian 71-68 Friday night in the OCC gymnasium.
The Ambassadors (10-13) outscored Manhattan 41-36 in the second half to erase a 32-30 halftime deficit.
Cook hit 8-of-18 field goals and 7-of-9 free throws for 23 points to lead all scorers. Owen sank 5-of-10 attempts from beyond the arc during her 22-point performance. She also had eight rebounds.
Chelsea Sneed added 10 points, seven rebounds and five steals for the Ambassadors, and Lacey Bounds had eight assists.
Kirsten Cranford tallied 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for Manhattan Christian.
The Ambassadors return to action at 2 p.m. today with a home game against Barclay College.
OCC men fall in OT
The Ambassadors’ Drew Hanson made a free throw with no time on the clock to force overtime, but Manhattan Christian outscored OCC 17-10 in the five-minute extra period.
Sharp-shooting Richard Galli fired in 28 points to spark Manhattan, hitting 11-of-13 from the field and 6-of-7 from 3-point range.
Paden Bennett netted 17 points to lead four players in double figures for the Ambassadors (13-13, 5-3 Midwest Christian College Conference). Caleb Hutchcraft contributed 15 points, Hanson scored 14 points before fouling out, and Austin Morris had 10 points and seven rebounds. Clancy Allmoslecher handed out seven assists.
OCC entertains Barclay today at 4 p.m.
