Dodge City basketball teams open conference play with wins over Garden City

Dodge City Community College’s basketball teams completed a sweep over Garden City to begin KJCCC play. The women improved to 6-1on the season while the men moved to 4-3. 

Garden City put up a big fight against the No.9 ranked Dodge City women’s basketball team, but the Conquistadors were able to figure it out at the end to get the win. 

It started when Dodge City got out to a 14-0 lead and had a chance to gain some distance. However, the Broncbusters were able to take the lead late in the first half, and the Conqusitadors only led by three at halftime. 

Dodge City took just a two point lead into the fourth quarter, but then closed it out for a 61-55 win. The Conquistadors got 14 points each from Tayah Morgan and Shorna Preston, while Layla-J Cameron scored 12. 

The Conquistadors managed to keep their composure despite Garden City coming back from the large deficit and forcing the game into five lead changes. 

In the men’s game, the Conquistadors did well to keep control after building their lead. When Garden City started to put some late game pressure on and gain some momentum, Kyle Burns stepped up with some clutch free throws and then a three pointer to put the nail in the coffin. Burns ended the game with 18 points.

Burns led the Conquistadors in scoring, but he was one of six players to reach double figures on the night. Mynor Strong had 14 points and Derrick Rivers had 12, then the trio of Jamari Gamble, Kejuan Payne and Wesley Rosa all scored 10. Rosa also finished with 16 rebounds. 

Dodge City won the game at the three point line, going 9-for-19 from deep, while holding Garden City without a three in the first half. 

The Conquistadors now shift their focus toward Cloud County, who they’ll face on Saturday with the women’s game tipping off at 1 p.m. at home.