Red Demon basketball teams split WAC opener at Liberal

Liberal, KS(westernkansasnews.com) The Dodge City High School basketball teams split with Liberal Friday night on the road in their first WAC games of the season. The boys beat Liberal 76-68, while the girls fell 47-27.

The Red Demon boys overcame a slow start after falling behind by eight in the first quarter. Dodge City(4-3, 1-0) was able to take the lead just before halftime 38-37 and led most of the second half. Dodge City shot 22-48 from the field for 46 percent and shot 27-35 from the free throw line for 78 percent. Defensively Dodge City forced Liberal(3-6,0-3) into 27 turnovers.

Senior Dawson Williams led the way for the Red Demons with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Junior Noah Sowers had 17 points 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Hunter Heath also chipped in with 11 points. Tristen Bigham had a big game for Liberal with 27 points.

The Lady Red Demons hung with Liberal in the first half trailing 20-16 at halftime. In the third quarter Liberal seized control outscoring Dodge City 14-3.

The Lady Red Demons shot just 8-36 from the field for 22 percent. Liberal shot 17-37 for 46 percent. Dodge City(4-3,0-1) turned the ball over 21 times and had just 7 assists. Liberal(7-1, 2-1)  also outscored Dodge City off the bench 18-7.

Junior Payton Magouirk led the way for Dodge City with 10 points, shooting 3-3 from three point range. Ali Lucero led the way for Liberal with 12 points.

Both Dodge City teams are back in action on Saturday at Guymon. The girls play at 3:30 p.m. and the boys will follow.