EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
No. 15 Coffeyville used an early run to force the Seward County Saints to battle from behind, and the Saints could never erase the deficit in a 78-62 loss.
Seward trailed 17-8 midway through the first half and struggled to get to the rim. The Saints settled for long range jump shots and threes during the stretch, and Coffeyville limited Seward to one-and-done opportunities. But the Saints went on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 17-14 and had a chance to get even closer, but the Saints missed a free throw.
The game remained at three after the teams traded baskets, and with 6:30 to pay in the first half, the Red Ravens went on an 8-0 run to stretch the lead to 27-16.
Coffeyville continued to outscore the Saints in the final five minutes of the half and took a 42-25 lead at the break.
Seward was able to cut the lead to 12 after an Antonio Williams lay-up with 15:40 to play, but the Red Ravens jumped out to a 22-point lead with 9:31 to play, 63-41.
The Red Ravens had a 24-point lead with 6:20 to play before the Saints cut the lead to 16 by the final buzzer in a 78-62 loss.
Lucan N’Gumbo and Lyna Brooks, Jr., led the Saints with 14 points each.
Seward only made four of 21 three point attempts in the loss.
The Saints faced Hutchinson late Saturday.
