Central Oregonian

Cowboys fall to Gladiators

Turnovers plague Crook County in home loss to Gladstone

LON AUSTIN/CENTRAL OREGONIAN

Troy Benton is fouled while driving to the basket during the Cowboys’ loss to the Gladstone Gladiators on Saturday. Benton led Crook County with 11 points in the contest.

Lon Austin

December 17, 2012

Cold shooting and turnovers plagued the Crook County Cowboys Saturday afternoon as they fell 51-34 to the Gladstone Gladiators.

“We turned the ball over way too much — especially in the second half,” said Crook County head coach Jeff Lowenbach following the game. “And obviously we didn’t shoot the ball too well from outside. Their pressure gave us trouble.”

The Cowboys finished the contest with 27 turnovers — most in the second half — while hitting just 3-19 from behind the three-point arc.

Still, despite the poor performance, the Cowboys were in contention much of the contest.

Gladstone held a slim 12-11 lead at the end of the first period. However, playing solid defense, the Cowboys were able to hold the Gladiators to just seven second-quarter points as Crook County took a 22-19 lead into the locker room at the half.

The two teams were tied 26-26 midway through the third quarter before Gladstone finally took control of the contest.

The Cowboys could muster just eight points the final 13 minutes of the contest as the Gladiators slowly pulled away.

In spite of the loss, there were still some positives for the Cowboys in the contest.

Marcus Greaves and Preston Washechek finished with 10 rebounds each as Crook County outrebounded Gladstone 31-25. Troy Benton finished with 11 points in the contest while Greaves added nine.

Michael Stoutt led the Gladiators with 15, while Austin Galvin chipped in with 13.

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 5-2 on the season while the Gladiators evened their record at 2-2.

Crook County is back in action today as they go on the road to take on The Dalles Wahtonka in a 6 p.m. contest. The team is on the road again on Friday as they open the Intermountain Hybrid League season with a 7 p.m. game at the Mountain View Cougars.

December 15

at Crook County

Gladstone 51, Crook County 34

Gladstone (51) — Michael Stoutt 15, Galvin 13, K. Williams 8, Bray 6, D.J. Williams 5, Kelly 2, S. Williams 2, Staehle 1, Penn. Totals 16 14-21 51.

Crook County (34) — Troy Benton 11, Greaves 9, Mahurin 4, Washechek 3, Dees 2, Dean 2, Cooper 2, Lee, Rutz, Tavernia, Sutfin. Totals 13 5-10 34.

Gladstone 12 7 16 15 — 51

Crook County 11 11 6 6 — 34

Three-point goals — Gladstone: Stoutt 4, Galvin; Crook County: Benton 2, Washechek.