April 23, 2024

Conq men win double OT thriller at Independence, women pull away late to stay in 1st place

Photo courtesy of Dodge City Athletics.

INDEPENDENCE–Dodge City’s men led for less than two minutes in regulation, but fought to force two extra periods and finally took control in the second overtime for a 89-85 win over Independence, while the women dominated the fourth quarter to beat the Pirates 73-53 in a wire-to-wire win Wednesday in a doubleheader at the ICC Fieldhouse.

In the men’s game, Dodge City lacked energy and execution in the first half and trailed 36-32 at the break. But they hung around in the second half, waiting for a Pirate mistake–which they got after an offensive foul and an off-ball foul by Indy’s Alon Druker to send DJ Jones to the foul line in the final seconds with the Conquistadors down one. Jones split the pair, Druker missed a three at the buzzer, and the game pushed to overtime tied at 67.

In the first overtime, Jason Edwards started to come alive for Dodge City and converted a three-point play to tie it again late before the Pirates missed another three at the buzzer. That cued a second extra frame.

That stretch was owned by Edwards, who scored 12 of his team-high 23 points after regulation. A 6-for-6 performance at the free throw line was key for the Conqs, and two late ones were enough to give Dodge City an exciting comeback win.

Chris Robinson added 21 points for Dodge City, while Jacobi Sebock posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Dodge only attempted nine threes in the game and scored 48 points in the paint.

The No. 8 Conquistadors improve to 12-3 (8-1 KJCCC) with the win and return to action Saturday when they host Colby. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.

In the women’s game, Dodge City started slow, but managed to lead 33-27 despite committing 15 turnovers before halftime.

The offense was much cleaner in the second half, where the Conqs shot nearly 50%. They also scored 44 points in the paint.

Three Conqs reached double figures in the contest. Jenna Rose Mafua led the way with 16 points, while Shakara Anderson contributed 12 off the bench and Jada Burton tallied 11.

The No. 13 Conquistadors improve to 13-2 (8-1 KJCCC) with the win and return to action Saturday when they host Colby. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.