April 26, 2024

Photo courtesy of Dodge City Athletics.

DODGE CITY–Dodge City’s men needed a late 9-0 run to create separation on their way to a 82-74 victory over Pratt, while Georgia Gray pulled down 16 rebounds in a double-double to send the Conq women to an 89-74 win over the Beavers in a doubleheader Wednesday at the Student Activities Center.

In the men’s game, neither team led by more than six points until the final two minutes of the game, when the Conqs scored nine straight sparked by Jason Edwards’ game-high 30 points. The back-and-forth contest featured 15 ties and 19 lead changes.

The Conqs took exceptional care of the rock, turning the ball over just six times in the game, which is well below their season average. They also forced 18 Pratt giveaways and outscored Pratt in points off turnovers 22-4.

All five starters reached double figures for Dodge City. Past Edwards’ 30, Cam Malray registered 19 points, DJ Jones had 11, and Jacobi Sebock and Chris Robinson each tallied 10.

The No. 8 Conquistadors improve to 14-3 (10-1 KJCCC) with the win and return to action Saturday when they travel to Barton. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.

In the women’s game, Dodge City grabbed the lead with a 29-point first quarter and never trailed again, which has become a common theme the last couple weeks with the Conqs

Rebounding was one of the key differences Wednesday, with Dodge out-rebounding Pratt 52-33, including 21-3 on the offensive glass. Gray set the tone with 10 offensive boards and scored 12 points.

Both Jenna Rose and Leah Mafua had 16 points each to lead Dodge City, but Shakara Anderson also scored 14 and Jada Burton had 11.

Princess Anderson, the nation’s second-leading scorer, had a career-high 35 points.

Pace of play is often at the forefront of Landon Steele’s mind, and the Conqs took 79 shots in Wednesday’s contest. While they shot less than 40%, after 15 first-half turnovers, the Conqs did a much better job valuing the basketball and turned it over just once after halftime.

The No. 13 Conquistadors improve to 15-2 (10-1 KJCCC) with the win and return to action Saturday when they travel to Barton. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.