Chavez big second half not enough in loss to Pratt

By Mike Pilosof

Photos by Adam Shrimplin

Garden City, KS-If Tahlik Chavez doesn't win Jayhawk Freshman of the Year and take home All-American honors, then someone is really missing the boat. The guy is that good. And even in defeat on Wednesday, the freshman showed why his name is popping up on recruiting boards all over the country.

Still, the Broncbusters lost another close game to Pratt, a team that's been a thorn in their side for the past three years.

Tommy Thomas finished with 19 points and buried four 3's, Jamel Horton added 19 in 32 minutes off the bench, and the Beavers beat the Broncbusters again 81-76 Wednesday night at Conestoga Arena.

"Pratt is having the type of year that we wish we were," Garden City Head Coach Patrick Nee said afterwards. "They're playing really well, and they have a lot of really good wins this year."

The Beavers improved to 16-8 in their last 24 games vs. the Broncbusters. It was also Pratt's fourth straight win in Garden City.

"For us, we need that third scorer," Nee said. "It's like Traylynn (Spencer) and Mikey (Frazier) trade off having good games. We need them to have that same type of game together."'

Meantime for Pratt, they recovered from a slow start in this one. Sean Flynn's team missed six of their first seven shots from the field before taking command, thanks in large part to Tommy Thomas, who banged home four first-half 3's, tying a season-high and helping the Beavers build an eight-point lead, 21-13 with 11:14 remaining. But Pratt could never create any real separation. Derrick Bryant hit a layup and a triple, Naj Ashley-Emory connected on a 3 from the left corner, and Garden City was down one. They trailed by four at the break.

"Pratt is such a tough team to play," Nee said. "They play so hard together. And right now, it looks like they're going to finish fourth in the west."

But Garden City made them work for it in the second half.

During one stretch, Frazier scored 13 straight Broncbuster points. In fact, he and Chavez combined to score 25 in a row once the freshman guard nailed a 3 from the wing, knocking Pratt's once 11-point second-half advantage down to seven. Chavez then cashed in three free throws after he was fouled shooting a 3, Steven Samuels converted an and-1, and the Broncbusters were within one, 59-58 with 12:13 to go.

"I thought our guys really competed," Nee said. "Tahlik has been on such a tear that you figured at some point, he would come back to earth."

Yes, Chavez didn't explode like he did on Monday vs. Northwest Tech, or Saturday, when he dropped 31 in the Sports Arena. But he had another efficient night from the floor, keeping Garden City within striking distance for most of the second half.

With Pratt up one in the final minute, Chavez showed a part of his game that was missing early in the year: the ability to create his own shot against elite competition. With the Broncbusters needing a bucket, the freshman delivered, hitting Horton with a step back before burying a 19-footer to give the Broncbusters the lead, 76-75.

"He's (Chavez) made so many big plays for us this season," Nee said. "I mean where would be without him?

Pratt though jumped back in front once Zool Keuth hit two free throws. Then Horton swished a pair at the line following Spencer's miss on the other end, pushing Pratt's lead to three, 79-76 with 23 seconds.

The door though was still open for the Broncbusters, who put the ball back in Chavez's hands. The freshman worked his way to the wing; then fired an off-balance 25-footer, which sailed over rim out of bounds. Keuth was fouled moments later, rattled home two more from the stripe, and Pratt completed the season sweep.

"We had a chance, and we had the ball in the hands of the guy that's been making plays all season," Nee said. "Sometimes the shot doesn't go in."

And in a season full of missed opportunities, Wednesday night was no exception.

Chavez scored 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting for the Broncbusters, who still haven't won consecutive games since November. Frazier added 19 points and a season-high nine rebounds, and Spencer tallied 15 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

Pratt drilled 10 3's, marking the 15^th time this season that they've hit double digits in a game. Deontae Davis scored 15 points and pulled down nine boards, and Kueth chipped in 12.

Next up: Garden City at Dodge City-Saturday, Feb. 15-3 p.m. tip on 99.9 FM; westernkansasnews.com/kwkr and KWKR mobile app