Lady Busters fall to Western Nebraska

Liberal, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Garden City knew they were going to have issues with the height of Western Nebraska on Saturday in their final game of the Pizza Hut Classic in Liberal. It turned out to be the case, as the Lady Busters had issues with the length of the Lady Cougars in a 96-59 loss at the Greenhouse.

The game would be tightly contested early on. In the opening 10 minutes, there would be two ties and two lead changes, as Western Nebraska took a 19-17 lead into the second quarter. Garden City trailed early on 4-0, but used a 7-0 run, only to see the Lady Cougars counter with a 7-0 run to never trail again.

It would be nip and tuck for most of the second quarter, as Western Nebraska slowly pulled away. They took a 38-28 lead with a little over a minute left in the half, before settling for a 38-30 lead at the break.

Garden City (1-1) was unable to get it any closer than eight points the rest of the afternoon. After the Lady Busters pulled to within 40-32 with 7:50 left in the third quarter, the Lady Cougars used a 10-2 run to lead 50-34 with 5:38 left in the third frame. Their would keep their lead around that margin, and led 60-47 heading into the fourth quarter.

While there was still a chance to get back in the game, Garden City pulled to within 62-50, just seconds into the final period. After that, it was all Western Nebraska. They would go on a 34-4 tear to lead 96-54 with 2:24 left. The Lady Busters scored the final five points to make the final 96-59.

Western Nebraska (1-1) had four points in double figures, led by Tishara Morehouse with 36 poitns off the bench, while Merle Wiehl had 19, Yuliyana Valcheva finished with 12 and Taylor Joplin added 10. They shot 49% from the floor, and outrebounded Garden City 56-22.

Garden City got 25 from Talia Roberts and 14 from Alyssa Boys. The Lady Busters were 36% from the floor and committed 22 turnovers.

Up next for Garden City are a pair of home games in the Broncbuster Classic next Friday and Saturday, against Otero and Lamar inside the Conestoga Arena. Western Nebraska will be at Iowa Western, facing Iowa Western and Cloud County next Friday and Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa.