Broncbusters WBB Drops First Game in Tight Affair with Cloud County

Concordia, KS. – In front of a ruckus Thunderbirds crowd, Garden City had their chances down the stretch.

Their eight game winning streak came down to the line, and in the biggest moments, the hosts came up with the plays they needed to snap a winning start.

The Garden City Broncbusters fell short against the Cloud County Thunderbirds at Arley Bryant Gymnasium, 58-54, on Wednesday night. The loss ends an eight-game winning streak under new head coach, Greg Franklin.

The first quarter, and the game as a whole, was a true game of runs. After a solid 5-0 start, Cloud County would score 10 straight points to take a 10-5 lead. The Broncbusters (8-1, 3-1 KJCCC) closed the first quarter strong, finishing on an eight-nothing run, with Sierra ‘C.C.’ Driessen scoring the last six points of the quarter.

Driessen led Garden City with 10 points at the break, Cloud County (6-3, 2-2 KJCCC) got a surprise source of scoring. Freshman Darcy Lierz played a perfect first half, swishing two three-pointers to lead the Lady Thunderbirds with eight first half points.

The Broncbusters would start the third quarter strong, with Driessen and Antonicia Moultrie each getting fast break layups to boost their lead to nine. Cloud County would respond with a strong 11-2 run, highlighted by Josephine Igherighe’s and-one.

Igherighe dominated the second half for Cloud, scoring 17 of her 18 after the break. Her layup with 1:08 to play gave the Thunderbirds a 55-54 lead.

It was a former Broncbuster to seal the deal, as guard Destiny Smith drilled a three-pointer with the shot clock expiring to give the Thunderbirds a crucial win. Cloud advanced to 6-1 at home this season.

Garden City closes their two game road trip on Saturday in Arkansas City against the Cowley Tigers. Coverage will begin at 1:40 P.M. on 1030 AM and 106.1 FM KBUF, due to crossover with Garden City High School’s basketball games versus Palmer Ridge.