Lady Buffs comeback efforts fall short

Garden City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Going into Saturday’s game, the Garden City Lady Buffaloes had the momentum with a three-game win streak. Unfortunately for the Lady Buffs, a slow start would prove to be too much, as Pueblo East’s 8-0 run to start the game and went home with three wins this weekend in a 38-31 win on the final day of the Clarion Inn Roundball Classic.

It would take over half the first quarter for Garden City to get on the board. After the Lady Eagles scored the games first eight points, a Kyra Bellows layup put Garden City on the board, trailing 8-2 with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter. After trailing 9-4 going into the second period, the Lady Buffaloes would score the first two points of the period early on to cut the deficit 9-6. A 5:32 drought would be costly, as Pueblo East (4-3) scored 10 points to lhave their biggest lead at 19-6 with under two and a half minutes remaining beore halftime.

Garden City (3-3) trailed 19-11 at the break, and the closest they could get was five points on three occasions in the second half. Both teams struggled scoring in the third frame, as Pueblo East outscored the Lady Buffs 6-5 in the third stanza to lead 25-16 going into the final quarter. Garden City had their chances to cut the deficit. When it felt like they would make a late surge, the Lady Eagles scored timely points, and just enough to finish the weekend unbeaten.

Pueblo East had two players score double figures, led by Kassidy Day wiht 13 points, and Salik Winston added 11. Garden City was led by Abby Dart’s 11 points, including three three-pointers. 

Garden City will host Denver South on Friday to close out their pre-Christmas break. 

Coach David Upton Postgame