Conq men clinch share of KJCCC with victory at Pratt, women win 20th straight
Photo courtesy of Dodge City Athletics.
PRATT–No. 15 Dodge City outlasted Pratt 99-94 to secure at least a share of the KJCCC title Saturday at the Dennis Lesh Sports Arena, while the 10th-ranked Conq women dominated the Beavers 77-53, and Jada Burton broke the program’s career assist record.
In the men’s game, Dodge City grabbed the lead just two minutes into the game and never trailed again. They built the lead as high as 14 points in the first half, and while the Beavers got as close as two possessions, the Conqs held them off late for a five-point win.
Jason Edwards tallied a team-high 24 points for the Conqs, but four other starters registered double figures as well. Chris Robinson finished with 19 points, DJ Jones had 18, and Jacobi Sebock went for 16.
The story of the game was early Conq foul trouble and free throws throughout. Both Cam Malray and DJ Jones had two fouls early in the first half, forcing both Tuscan Onuoha and Jalan Davis to come off the bench to provide significant minutes before halftime.
Overall, Dodge made 22-for-25 from the free throw line, which is 88%–a season high. Pratt converted on 29-of-35 tries (83%).
Chidiebere Obichere scored a game-high 29 points to lead Pratt.
The No. 15 Conquistadors improve to 22-7 (18-5 KJCCC) with the win and close their regular season Wednesday when they host No. 23 Barton. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
In the women’s game, the Conqs raced out to a 17-3 start, but Pratt was able to close the gap to just two at the end of the first quarter. The Beavers were never able to gain the lead though, and the separation only widened after halftime. The Conqs led 38-28 at the break, but a 21-11 third quarter put the game away for good.
Dodge City dominated on the glass, out-rebounding Pratt 48-30. They also held Princess Anderson, the nation’s third-leading scorer who dropped 35 when these teams met in January, to just 16 points off the bench.
The Conqs forced 23 Pratt turnovers and converted those into 31 points. Additionally, they registered 23 second-chance points on 19 offensive rebounds.
Bree Stephens scored a game-high 18 points for the Conqs. Leah Mafua and Paris Santacaterina both cracked double figures as well, tallying 11 and 10 points respectively.
Jada Burton recorded six assists, pushing her to a program-record 279 career assists.
Dodge City’s win marked their 20th consecutive victory. They also broke the program’s single-season wins record.
The No. 10 Conquistadors improve to 27-2 (22-1 KJCCC) with the win and close their regular season Wednesday when they host No. 17 Barton. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT.
