Broncbusters drop road test at Hutch

By Mike Pilosof

Photo by Connor Pilosof

Hutchinson, KS-There's something different about playing in the Sports Arena.

Mele Kailahi scored a game-high 20 points and pulled down 12 boards, Mya Williams chipped in 14 points, and Hutchinson pulled away from Garden City, 60-48 Saturday night. The loss dropped the Broncbusters to 11-5 overall and 6-5 in league play.

Garden City shot just 32 percent from the floor and was 1-of-8 from beyond the arc.

With the game tied at 18 in the second, Tor'e Alford hit a turnaround jumper, and Natalie Payne converted a driving layup to put the Blue Dragons up by four. They pushed it to eight once Kailahi nailed a 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining. Meantime the Broncbusters failed to score the final 2:27 of the half and trailed, 31-22 at the intermission.

Hutchinson extended the lead to 12 early in the third following Kalyn Ervin's triple. That was before Garden City managed to trim it to five when Keyhana Turner drained a pair of free throws to make it 39-34 with 3:11 to play in the period. However, that was as close as Antwain Scales' team got the rest of the way. And the fourth period was the final nail.

The Broncbusters were held scoreless the first five minutes of the final quarter, Hutchinson answered with a 12-4 run, and the Blue Dragons had a 56-40 cushion with 2:42 to play.

Kealani Neves scored 13 points for Garden City, which lost the game despite outscoring the Hutchinson reserves 20-2. Dayshanwa Carter added 10 points in 15 minutes off the bench.

Alford nearly posted a triple double for Hutchinson with 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

Next up: Garden City vs. Barton-Monday, Jan. 17-5:30 p.m.