Conq women strengthen grip on 1st with win at Barton, men fall at buzzer
Photo courtesy of Dodge City Athletics.
GREAT BEND–Mozae Downing-Rivers grabbed a missed free throw and took it to the opposite three-point line, where he buried a straightaway triple as time expired to send Barton to a 76-73 upset win over No. 8 Dodge City, while Dodge City’s women shot better than 73% in the second quarter to create separation and ride it to a 79-65 victory in a doubleheader Saturday at Barton Gym.
In the men’s game, DJ Jones had a chance to unlock a 73-73 tie with seven seconds remaining, but the normally reliable free throw shooter missed both, and Downing-Rivers made the shot to win it, prompting the students to storm the floor in a chaotic scene.
20 Conq turnovers were a huge factor, including several key giveaways down the stretch of the game. In a game that had 10 ties and 10 lead changes, one possession proved to be the difference.
Dodge City was led in scoring by Jason Edwards again with 26 points. He’s now scored 105 points in the last four games for the Conqs. DJ Jones reached double figures with 12 points and Chris Robinson registered 10.
The Conqs have improved their distance shooting since the start of the new year, but that didn’t carry over into Saturday’s game, as Dodge shot just 3-of-12 in the contest.
The No. 8 Conquistadors fall to 14-4 (10-2 KJCCC) with the loss and return to action Saturday when they host Cowley. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
In the women’s game, Dodge City grabbed the lead about seven minutes into the game and never trailed again, pushing the lead as high as 17 midway through the final quarter.
Dodge racked up 27 points in the second frame on 11-for-15 shooting and 3-for-4 from distance. That gave the Conqs the space they needed to work comfortably the rest of the game and slammed the door late with a key triple from Bree Stephens, who was back in the starting lineup for the first time in the new year and scored 16 points in her return.
Leah Mafua lead the Conqs in scoring with 17, Jada Burton added 14 and Paris Santacaterina scored 10 off the bench.
For the game, the Dodge shot nearly 53%, their second-highest total in a game this season. They were also an efficient 47% from three.
The No. 13 Conquistadors improve to 16-2 (11-1 KJCCC) with the win and return to action Saturday when they host Cowley. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
