Comets snap skid with rout of Briar Cliff JV

A Western Iowa Tech timeout less than 3 mintues into the game reset the momentum and set the stage for an 88-72 win over Briar Cliff JV Monday night in the Dunker Center.

The Comets, who entered Monday's non-conference contest eager to snap a three-game losing streak, outscored the Chargers 86-63 after falling behind 9-2 early on.

Comets head coach Harvis "CoCo" Cofield made a wholesale change, subbing all five of his starters for a smaller, quicker lineup.

"We decided to make a change with a faster group, speed up the tempo a litte more," Cofield said. "Right now were trying to find a good balance of guys who mesh together. We're still trying to find ourselves as far as how we want to play."

The Comets scored four straight baskets -- offensive putbacks by Keavian Hayes and Silas Coleman, followed by successful drives from Hayes and Simarion Anderson -- out of the timeout to take a 10-9 lead.

Freshman Manuel Paul scored a game-high 21 points on 10-for-12 shooting. Freshman Silas Coleman added 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting and had a game-high five blocked shots.

The Chargers kept it competitive for most of the game, but relinquished its final lead when a Jailyn Spears drive put WIT up 21-20 with 7:50 left in the first half. A Coleman three, Ahmad Ingram layup and a Paul corner three closed out the first-half scoring for the Comets.

Spears finished with seven points and three rebounds. Ingram had four points and three assists. 

The first eight minutes of the second half saw WIT's lead fluctuate from eight to 13 points. It wasn't until the Comets got more aggressive on offense, pushing the pace and attacking the rim, that they took full control of the game. 

"I want our team team to be more aggressive going to the basket," Cofield said. "Our emphasis is getting to the painted area, and kind of open things up for our 3-point shooters."

Paul, Hayes, Ingram, Coleman, Zeb Svoboda, Keishaun Pendleton, Leroy Pooser and Juvares Safford all scored on drives to the paint in the second half.

"I think we have a good paint presence with Silas, Manny got going, and Latrel can get into the paint as well with his quickness and size," Cofield said.

The Comets biggest lead of the game came after Ashton Pennamon's step-back 3-pointer from the left wink bounced high off the back of the rim and in, putting WIT up 73-53.

Paul's dunk off a baseline drive at 14:06 was rivaled by his own fastbreak two-hand slam off the outlet feed from Latrel Davis less than a minute later.

Coleman had the highlight dunk of the first half when he intercepted a Briar Cliff pass at the top of the arc and finished with a right-handed windmill with 7:26 to go.

The Comets host another non-conference opponent on Wednesday night, when the Central Community College Raiders (10-4) come to town for a 7 p.m. tip. Western Iowa Tech's final game of 2023 is Sunday at noon against Iowa Lakes in the Tyson Events Center.