CCCC unable to chase down Reivers

Cloud County couldn’t convert on either of two opportunities in the closing seconds to chase down the Iowa Western Community College Reivers in suffering a 75-73 loss Saturday afternoon in Bryant Gymnasium.
The Thunderbirds, who led by as many as 11 points in the first half, trailed Iowa Western 73-70 when Somme Blakemore made one of two free throws with 11.5 seconds remaining in the game.
Cloud County called timeout following the made free throw and advanced the ball to the front court.
Needing a three-point basket to pull even, the T-Birds had a pass bounce off the face of Chiara De Virgilio and got out of bounds with 5.8 seconds to play.
Iowa Western had Binta Salawu make one of two free throws to extend the lead to 74-70.
After again setting up on Iowa Western’s side of the floor following a timeout, the T-Birds got a quick basket by Cassidy Haufler, who was fouled.
Haufler, who was 6 of 10 from the field and 8 of 10 from the free throw line in scoring a team high 20 points, connected on the charity toss to make it a 74-73 game with 4.8 seconds on the clock.
Cloud County quickly fouled Zhan’e Williams on the inbounds pass. She made the first free throw, but missed the second.
The T-Birds got the ball across halfcourt, but Emmiley Hendrixson’s long three-point attempt for the win was off the mark as time ran out.
“I thought it was a good ball game, and that we had done enough to give ourselves a chance to win. We had a bad third quarter, and that was basically it,” Cloud County coach Brett Erkenbrack said.
Cloud County, losing at home for the first time this season, falls to 7-2.
Iowa Western improves to 5-3 with the win.
The game got off to a slow start offensively, and the T-Birds led 8-5 with more than six minutes gone by.
Iowa Western used a 7-0 spurt to go up 12-8.
A three-point basket by Kamryn Collins and a long jumper by De Virgilio put Cloud County back on top 13-12 heading into the second period.
De’Ayra Davis knocked down a three to give the Reivers a 15-13 cushion.
Cloud County, connecting on 11 of 13 free throws outscored Iowa Western 14-3 over the next four minutes, and led 27-18.
The T-Birds would lead by as many as 11 points on two occasions.
Iowa Western used a 13-6 run over the final 2:58 of the first half to close the gap to 39-35.
The Reivers continued to knock down shots in the third quarter, while the T-Birds struggled.
Cloud County was just 2 of 12 from the field in the third period, including one of six from three-point range.
The game was tied at 47-47 when the Reivers scored seven straight points to go on top to stay, 54-47.
Cloud County would stay within striking distance, but couldn’t overtake the Reivers.
“I think it was one of those games where if we could have ever gotten it tied or taken the lead late, it could have changed things dramatically,” Erkenbrack said, “But to Iowa Western’s credit it is a good ball club that made shots and made a couple of more plays than we did.”
Cloud County closed the gap to one point three different times.
Two free throws by Haufler made it 68-67 with 1:22 to play.
A free throw by Blakemore and a three-point shot by Tiana Ziegler put Iowa Western up 72-67 with 34 seconds left.
A three-point play by Haufer 13 seconds later made it 72-70.
That set up the frantic finish.
Haufler led four Cloud County players in double figures.
Scoutt Frame tossed in 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds.
De Virgilio and Collins scored 10 points each.
Williams scored a game high 26 points for Iowa Western.
Davis added 11 points for the Reivers.
Cloud County's game against Southeast of Saline scheduled for tonight has been cancelled.
The Thunderbirds open Jayhawk Conference play by hosting Garden City on Wednesday night.