Mattingley, Defense Power College of the Ozarks Past Central Christian, 79-34
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEN | 11 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 34 |
| COL | 24 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 79 |
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — College of the Ozarks used a dominant defensive effort and a pair of double-doubles from its frontcourt to roll past Central Christian (Kan.) 79-34 on Saturday afternoon.
The Bobcats seized control in the first quarter, building a 24-11 lead and never allowing Central Christian to threaten the rest of the way. College of the Ozarks limited the Tigers to just 19.0 percent shooting from the field (11 of 58) and 4 points in the fourth quarter, stretching the margin to as many as 45 on a late 3-pointer by Aspen Cone.
Keara Mattingley led College of the Ozarks with 19 points and 16 rebounds in 27 minutes, going 7 of 13 from the floor and a perfect 5 of 5 at the free-throw line. Logan Jones added 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists while logging a team-high 31 minutes, and Ashlen Garrett chipped in 7 points and 10 boards while hitting a 3-pointer in both the first and fourth quarters.
The tone was set early on both ends. Jones knocked down a 3-pointer with 6:46 left in the first quarter to help the Bobcats push to an 11-3 advantage, and Garrett drilled a 3-pointer in the final minute of the period to make it 24-10. College of the Ozarks led 44-19 at halftime after Mattingley scored from midrange with 4:07 left in the second quarter and the Bobcats continued to convert second-chance opportunities off the offensive glass.
College of the Ozarks controlled the interior throughout, finishing with a 57-26 rebounding edge, including 19 offensive rebounds. That advantage translated into steady scoring despite a 40.3 percent overall shooting figure (27 of 67). The Bobcats also went 8 of 25 (32.0 percent) from 3-point range and capitalized at the foul line, converting 17 of 21 free throws (81.0 percent).
Central Christian’s best stretch came in the second and third quarters behind perimeter shooting. Chloe Clevenger, who led the Tigers with 11 points and three steals, hit a 3-pointer just before halftime to trim the deficit to 44-19, and teammates Madyson George and Charmayne Marshall each knocked down 3-pointers early in the second half. Clevenger added another 3 with 6:19 left in the third to bring Central Christian to 26 points, but the Tigers could not sustain offense against the Bobcats’ half-court defense.
College of the Ozarks continued to extend the margin in the final quarter. Jones scored on a layup at the 9:05 mark to open the fourth, Garrett connected from beyond the arc with 6:42 remaining, and Cone’s 3-pointer with 2:04 left pushed the lead to its largest point at 79-34. Reserve guard Zoe Hinze also added efficient scoring off the bench with 6 points on 2-of-4 shooting, including 2 of 3 from long distance, and five rebounds in 14 minutes.
The win improves the Bobcats’ profile behind a balanced attack and a stifling defensive performance, as they assisted on 15 of their 27 made field goals while holding Central Christian to 6 of 28 from 3-point range and just five team assists. College of the Ozarks will look to build on the performance as it continues its home stretch in Point Lookout.
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