Red Demons and Buffs split first hoops meeting

Dodge City, KS(westernkansasnews.com) The Dodge City and Garden City High School basketball teams split their first matchups of the season. The Lady Red Demons overcame a slow start to win 35-27, while the Buffalo boys held on for a 64-61 win.

Boys

Garden City shot the lights out at the Field House in the first half and took a 46-30 lead into the half. The Buffs would stretch the lead to as much as 18 during the third quarter and held a 57-41 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Dodge City responded in the fourth quarter with a furious rally cutting the deficit to 3 64-61 with 6 seconds left. Carlos Acosta went to the line with a chance to clinch the game, but missed both free throws. With Dodge City out of timeouts Noah Sowers pushed the ball into the front court and launched a three from 40 feet that missed long at the buzzer.

The Buffaloes shot 10-19 from three point range and were 25-52 from the field at 48 percent. The Red Demons shot just 19-56 for 34 percent and were 6-23 from three.

Garden City(8-6, 3-1) was led by Tye Davis with a career high 21 points, shooting 7-11 from the field and 5-8 from three. Carlos Acosta chipped in with 10 points and Demarcus Elliott added 7 points and 9 rebounds.

Kaden Rickenberg led the way for Dodge City(7-6, 2-1) with 17 points on 5-10 shooting. Hunter Heath added another double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Noah Sowers added 12 points 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Girls

The Dodge City girls beat Garden City for the second time in four days after beating them Saturday in the Newton Invitational 38-24.

Both teams got out to a slow start with scored tied at 2 after the first quarter. The Lady Red Demons would hold an 11-7 lead at the half and never relinquish it.

Dodge City(8-5, 2-1) held Garden City to just 9-46 shooting for 19.6 percent. The Lady Demons shot 10-27 for 37 percent and were 11-14 at the foul line, where the Lady Buffs were just 9-18. Garden City(4-10, 0-4) was able to force Dodge into 20 turnovers, but only turned it into 11 points.

Kisa Unruh scored all 14 of her points in the second half to lead Dodge City. Madison Armstrong and Chidera Okoro each added 6 points.

Garden City back in action Friday night at Guymon. Pregame coverage begins at 6:15 on ESPN 99.9 and westernkansasnews.com. Dodge City hosts Hays on Friday night for homecoming. Pregame coverage will begin at 5:45 on Z-98 and westernkansasnews.com.