Broncbusters MBB Out-duels Independence for Fourth Straight Win

Independence, KS. – It felt like a true rivalry at the Field House.

There was a great intensity throughout the game, a physical brand of basketball with one team desperate for a win.

Free throws were a big negative in Garden City’s two losses this season against Lamar and Otero. They might have been the biggest positive in Tuesday’s victory.

The Garden City Broncbusters won their fourth-straight game, defeating the Independence Pirates, 82-71, at Firstoak Bank & Oakes Family Fieldhouse on Tuesday. Garden City shot a season-high 48 free throws in the game, hitting 40 of them.

The first half was a true free-throw fest. Independence committed 16 personal fouls along with two technicals. Garden City shot 28-of-32 from the free throw line, scoring 28 of their 48 first half points at the stripe.

Independence (1-7, 0-2 KJCCC) had almost as many GCCC free throw attempts (32) than points scored (33). Foul trouble cut down in the second half, but Garden City continued to get points down low.

Brody Robinson manufactured five trips to the line in the first half. The Chattanooga transfer had 10 free throw attempts in the first half, finishing with 13-of-15 from the line. Robinson finished with 23 points in the victory, one off his career-high.

Second-chance points were big for the Broncbusters (5-2, 2-0 KJCCC) to secure victory. Thomas Tut led the way with 25 points, adding 15 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.

Garden City will try and improve to 2-0 in home conference games on Saturday against Pratt Community College. Coverage from Conestoga Arena begins immediately following the conclusion of women’s basketball’s early game, tip-off is scheduled for 20 minutes following that finish on 99.9 ‘The Rock’.