Roberts scores 30; Garden City downs Colby

By Mike Pilosof

Colby, KS-Talia Roberts has been doing this all season long. It's just that now, she's becoming more efficient. It's something her coach instilled in her, and the results are paying major dividends.

The sophomore guard poured in a career-high 30 points, Daz'Monique Johnson added her 10^th double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Garden City won their third straight game, beating Colby 80-69 Wednesday night at the Community Building.

"We came in and did what we were supposed to do," Head Coach Charinee Mitchell said. "We didn't expect Colby to lie down."

After five lead changes in the first 2:30, Garden City took control. Johnson hit a layup, Kelcy McHenry nailed a baseline jumper, Alyssa Boyce sliced her way to the rim, and McHenry converted a second-chance basket to cap off an 8-0 run that put Garden City up 13-6 with 5:06 to go in the first quarter. It was part of a 20-2 spurt in which the Broncbusters opened up a 25-8 advantage. They were up 13 at the end of one following Jaleah Bellany's two free throws.

"In college basketball, really at any level, you can't take a breath for one second," Mitchell explained.

Leading by 13 going into the third quarter, Garden City kept the pressure on. Roberts split a pair of free throws before drilling a 3-pointer from the top of the key that gave the Broncbusters their biggest lead, 51-33 with 6:17 to go in the period.

"This is a game of runs," Mitchell said. "Especially with the 30-second shot clock."

Down by 18, the Trojans worked their way back into the game. Tamia Mobley and Nyrobi Pillers knocked down jumpers, and Sia Williams splashed home a long ball to pull within 10. Then, in the fourth quarter, Kiara Knight polished off a 10-2 run with a 3-pointer from the right corner, cutting Garden City's lead to seven, 64-57. She dropped in another trey with 3:28 to go, making it a five-point contest.

"Credit the girls for staying with it," Mitchell said. "They never lost the lead, and did a good job of controlling things late."

The Broncbuster defense swarmed Colby over the final three minutes, limiting them to just two points: a second-chance bucket by Pillers with :47 to play. Meantime, Bellany hit a momentum-shifting 3 from the right wing and connected on two free throws, Johnson made 1-of-2 at the line, and the Broncbusters were back up by 11.

"We did a good job of finishing the game," Mitchell said. "That's the most important thing. We've won three straight, now we have to keep it going. Saturday is another test."

Boyce scored 13 points in 26 minutes for Garden City, who moved up to fifth in the Jayhawk West standings with their win coupled with Dodge City's loss to Pratt.

PIllers finished with 18 points and five rebounds for Colby, who lost their 11^th straight game. Knight scored 15, and Michaela Bethel had 11.

Next up: Garden City vs. Barton-Saturday, Feb. 23-1:45 p.m. pregame; 2 p.m. tip on 99.9 FM; westernkansasnews.com/kwkr and KWKR mobile app