Bench Dominates in Lady Conqs Blowout Win over Independence

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Tayah Morgan came off the bench to lead the Dodge City offense, tallying 16 of 43 points for the Conqs reserves in their 95-57 romp over Independence.

The Conqs (8-1, 2-1) were rolling coming into the weekend, having won seven of their first eight games including a dominant 86-40 win over Colby on the road in their last game. The three pointer has been the identity of the Dodge City offense as they lead the NJCAA with 105 threes made so far this season.

Independence (5-3, 0-3) got off to a hot start this season, winning their first five games of the season to mark their best start to a season since 2011. Things hit a snag entering the game though as they had lost back-to-back conference games to start KJCCC action and they were without leading scorer Merveille Nkoyock against the Conqs. 

The Pirates continued to struggle early in Saturday’s game as the Conqs outscored Indy 23-15 in the opening quarter. The game remained close for the majority of the frame but Dodge was able to open up a comfortable lead as their defense didn’t allow a point in the final 3:13 of the quarter.

Nothing improved for the Pirates offensively in the second as they managed just three points in the first seven minutes of the period and Dodge City took advantage, getting the lead up to 20 by halftime. 

The Conqs found their rhythm offensively in the third quarter, pouring in 29 in the period. Paris Santacaterina scored 11 of her 15 points in the frame and the game was all but over entering the fourth quarter with Dodge in front 71-41.

Dodge City kept things comfortable in the fourth quarter, expanding the lead to more than 40 for most of the period before the Pirates scored eight of the game’s final 10 points to make the final score 95-57.

Dodge City had a balanced scoring effort in the game with Morgan scoring 16 and Santacaterina finishing with 15. Ky Jones and Paris Atkins also finished with 15 points in the contest. As a whole, the Conqs had 10 players score at least four points. 

It wasn’t a remarkable shooting performance from outside for the Conqs as they went 8-28 from outside but they forced 17 turnovers and committed only nine.

Independence was doomed by their poor outside shooting which lasted for all four quarters. The Pirates attempted 24 threes and made just two with active leading scorer Sunishka Kartik missing all six of her three point attempts as she finished with just eight points. 

The lone bright spot for Indy was the performance of Morane Dossou who scored 10 points while pulling down 17 rebounds, nine of which were offensive.

Dodge City improved to 8-1 following the win. They hit the road for their next game which will be on Wednesday against the Pratt Beavers at 5:30. The game will be broadcast on Z98 with pregame coverage beginning at 5:10.