Broncbusters go cold in loss to Independence

By Mike Pilosof

Independence, KS-It was just one of those nights for Garden City.

Erica Moore netted a season-high 19 points, Jordan Schoenberger recorded her first-double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 boards, and Independence handed the Broncbusters their most lopsided loss of the season 80-44 Saturday night at Pirates Fieldhouse.

"We couldn't hit any shots," Garden City Coach Charinee Mitchell said. "We made stops, but nothing was falling."

After making their first two shots of the contest, the Broncbusters missed their next 14 as the Pirates built a 19-5 lead early in the second quarter. Garden City (4-4, 2-3) shot a season-worst 25 percent from the floor.

"It's almost contagious when you're missing shots like that," Mitchell said. "I thought our girls came out with the right mindset, but when shots aren't falling, that's the result."

The second quarter was one to forget for the first-year coach, as Garden City was outscored 19-9 and watched the Pirates open up a 22-point halftime lead thanks to a 12-0 run that coincided with a seven-minute scoring drought by the Broncbusters. They trailed 36-14 at the break.

"When it's going like that, you have to reinforce good things with the players," Mitchell said. "That's what we continued to do throughout the game."  

Independence (7-1, 5-0) made things increasingly difficult in the third period, going 10-of-16 from the field, scoring 28 points- their second-highest scoring quarter of the season as their lead swelled to 42 points following Cayla Trotter's layup with 15 seconds remaining in the frame.

"It's one game, and we move on," Mitchell said. "Never would I believe that we are 36 points worse than Independence. "We get them one more time at our place, so we will see what happens."

Moore scored 11 of her 19 points in the second half for Independence, who equaled their best start since 2015-2016. Victoria Mikkelsen added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting as 11 different Pirates scored.

Talia Roberts hit four 3's and finished with 14 points for Garden City, who dropped to 0-4 on the road this season. Abigail Green had eight, and Kelcy McHenry and Shakendra Tilley scored seven apiece.