Conq men win KJCCC outright despite loss to Barton; women mount 2nd half comeback

DODGE CITY–No. 13 Dodge City secured the outright KJCCC title Wednesday with Coffeyville’s loss, despite an 84-67 loss to No. 20 Barton, while the 10th-ranked Conq women erased a 14-point third quarter deficit to defeat the 16th-ranked Cougar women 65-61 at the Student Activity Center.

In the men’s game, Barton started hot and never looked back, pushing the lead as high as 24 points in the final moments of the contest. They led 42-26 at the halftime break.

The Conqs were out-rebounded 39-30 and allowed Barton to shoot 50% from the field in the contest. Dodge struggled from beyond the arc, knocking in just four of their 28 tries.

DJ Jones was one of three Conquistadors to reach double figures with 15 points. Shawn Warrior added 12 and Chris Robinson 11.

Jason Edwards, the reigning KJCCC player of the week, was limited to just eight points on 3-for-12 shooting.

Joey Locandro notched a double-double for Barton with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Barton is the only KJCCC team to sweep the regular season series against Dodge City this year.

The No. 13 Conquistadors finish the regular season 22-8 (18-6 KJCCC) will host either Cloud County or Cowley Tuesday in the Region VI quarterfinal round. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.

In the women’s game, Dodge City trailed by nine points at halftime, and that hole grew as big as 14 halfway through the third quarter. But a 17-4 run for the Conqs drew them within just one going into the final frame, and they finally took command with 7:14 left.

Barton quickly punched back and managed to stretch the lead back to four with two minutes left, but a Leah Mafua triple again brought Dodge within one, and Mafua gave them the lead for good on a layup with 30 seconds remaining. The Conqs finished the contest on an 8-0 run.

Dodge City forced 23 Cougar turnovers and converted those into 15 points.

Jada Burton finished with a team-high 16 points and added three assists to a growing program-record. Leah Mafua added 14, Bree Stephens 13, and Paris Santacaterina 11 off the bench.

Dodge City’s win marked their 21st consecutive victory. Earlier this season, they broke the program’s single-season wins record.

The No. 10 Conquistadors finish the season 28-2 (23-1 KJCCC) will host either Independence or Cowley Tuesday in the Region VI quarterfinal round. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT.