Last Shot Falls Short: Broncbusters Drop 74-73 Heartbreaker to Close Regular Season
Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics
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Garden City, KS – Garden City left everything on the floor Monday night, but a final shot at the horn wouldn’t fall as the Broncbusters dropped a 74-73 heartbreaker to Coffeyville in the regular-season finale at Conestoga Arena. In a game that featured runs, momentum swings, and clutch shots on both sides, the difference ultimately came down to one possession in the closing seconds.
The Busters opened the night with confidence and pace. After Coffeyville struck first from deep, Devonte Reed answered with a three of his own, and moments later Jordon Nevill connected from beyond the arc to give Garden City early control. The defensive intensity set the tone—Dasean Lewis came up with multiple steals in the opening stretch, turning defense into quick transition opportunities, while Tammar Brown attacked the rim and finished strong inside.
Garden City’s ball movement and perimeter shooting helped build rhythm throughout the first half. The Busters knocked down timely threes and shared the ball effectively, piling up assists and spreading the scoring across the lineup. Zaire Lott provided a major spark off the bench, finishing with a team-high 15 points, including four three-pointers, while Lewis added 14 points and Nevill chipped in 12. Behind that balanced attack, Garden City took a 42-39 lead into halftime, fueled by energy plays and second-effort defense.
The second half turned into a grind. Coffeyville tightened things up defensively and began attacking downhill, putting pressure on the officials’ whistles. The Red Ravens capitalized at the free throw line, finishing 21-of-28, compared to Garden City’s 12-of-17, and those extra trips proved pivotal in such a tight contest. Coffeyville also controlled the glass, winning the rebounding battle 32-19, generating critical second-chance points that kept them within striking distance and eventually helped them edge ahead.
Even with those disadvantages, Garden City continued to fight. Nico Doume added 8 points, and Jamir Westry contributed 5 points and 5 assists, helping keep the offense organized during high-pressure moments. The Busters hit 11 total three-pointers on the night, using the perimeter shot to counter Coffeyville’s interior scoring. Every time the Red Ravens threatened to create separation, Garden City responded with a big shot or a defensive stop to pull back within a possession.
The final minutes delivered the drama expected in a regular-season finale. With the score seesawing back and forth, both teams executed under pressure. Coffeyville slipped ahead late, but Garden City had one final opportunity to steal it. A contested look in the closing seconds missed, and even after an offensive rebound created one more quick chance before time expired, the shot would not fall as the buzzer sounded.
The loss closes the regular season with the Broncbusters at 17-13 overall and 12-12 in KJCCC play. While Monday’s finish stung, the fight and resilience displayed throughout the night reflected a team ready for the next stage.
Next up, The Broncbusters now turn their focus to postseason play. The playoffs begin Saturday, March 7, with opponent and game time TBD. Garden City enters the tournament battle-tested and prepared for March basketball.
