Busters falter late again; lose at Seward
Liberal, KS (westernkansasnews.com)-There’s something about big leads that brings out the worst in Garden City. Wednesday night was no exception
For the second time in 14 days, the Busters blew a double-digit advantage, watching Seward County flip an 11-point deficit into an 89-84 victory at the Green House.
“We’re not very good,” Garden City Head Coach Brady Trenkle said after the game. “It’s just that simple. My guys aren’t tough. We have to go back to the drawing board. It’s not pretty.”
To say the first seven games of conference play have been frustrating for the second-year coach would be an understatement. But the first 14 minutes Wednesday seem to be a step in the right direction as the Busters built a 29-18 lead.
“We’re just complacent,” Trenkle said. “It’s hard to explain.”
The Saints crawled their way back in it, eventually tying the game at 35 behind a 17-6 spurt. Garden City responded and took an eight-point lead into the half. But the Busters never made a move to pull away in the second half and faltered during a time where last year’s team excelled.
Leading 74-70 with less than five minutes remaining, Garden City (12-9, 1-6) reverted back to its old ways. The Saints smelled blood and drew even before Tyreke Sharp buried a triple from the corner, giving Seward County (10-9, 3-3) a 77-74 advantage. It fueled a 14-1 run, putting the Busters in a nine-point hole with a minute to go.
“It’s elimination by subtraction now,” Trenkle said. “Some of these guys are just not buying in.”
Secean Johnson scored 23 of his game-high 33 points in the first half. He was one of four Saints in double figures. Sharp added 16, while Nick Singleton and Darius Polley each added 11 points apiece.
Tyrell Springer paced the Busters with 16 points, but he was held scoreless in the final 20 minutes and missed all seven of his second-half shots. Davon Anderson added 13 points and nine rebounds.
Tip ins: Seward County tied a season-high shooting 53% from the floor on 27-of-51…the Saints outscored the Busters 47-34 in the second half…Seward County was 29-of-41 from the line; Garden City 17-of-28…The Busters lost despite owning a 45-31 rebounding edge (they grabbed 20 offensive rebounds)
Next up: vs. Dodge City-Sunday, January 25-4 p.m. on AM 1030 KBUF; westernkansasnews.com; mobile app: KBUF and tuneinradio app: KBUF
