Garden City survives comeback efforts from Sunrise Christian
Garden City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Wednesday night’s game at the Perryman Athletic Complex started with a hot streak, and ended with a hot streak for the Garden City Broncbusters. With both teams playing their second games in as many nights, No. 25 Garden City started the game with a 7-0 run, and used a 9-2 run to close the game out in a 96-84 win over Sunrise Christian.
The Busters started out on fire, hitting nine of their first 10 shots from the field. They also took a 26-9 lead with 14:01 remaining in the half. That’s when Sunrise Christian made their first run. The Buffaloes used an 11-2 run to pull to within 34-26 with 5:40 left in the half. Garden City responded with an 8-0 run, and eventually took a 47-33 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Busters scored the first points to lead 50-33 early on, only to see Sunrise Christian (1-1) slowly chip away at the lead. The Buffaloes took their first lead at 68-65 with 7:49 remaining. The game would be tied at 68, 70, 72, 74 and 76.
Garden City (2-0) took the lead for good with 3:21 left on a basket by Jefkins Agyeman-Budu to go up 78-76. On the next possession, Josh Fleming drilled a big three-point to give the Busters an 81-76 lead with 2:41 to go. Those two baskets started an 8-0 run and never led by any fewer than five points.
Four Busters were in double figures, led by Josh Flemin with 29 points, including six three-pointers, while Naradin James had 13, Jefkins Agyeman-Budu finished with 12 and James McNeal added 11. Garden City shot 45.3% (34-75) for the game and finished 18-26 at the foul line.
Sunrise Christian, who won a 95-90 double overtime thriller at Seward County Tuesday night, had five in double figures, led by Xavier Johnson with 18 points, Eric Parrish had 15, David Jenkins with 13, DJ Wilkins had 12 and Steffon Mitchell added 10.
Garden City forced 24 Buffalo turnovers, while finishing with 12 of their own.
Up next is the Pepsi Classic Friday and Saturday, as Kansas City, Kansas is the opponent Friday, and Saturday’s game is against Bethel JV. Both games tipoff at 8 pm.
Coach Brady Postgame
