McGhee pours in 25 as Garden City coasts past Frank Phillips

Garden City, KS-Jaborri McGhee scored 25 points, Buru Naivalurua posted a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, and Garden City improved to 2-0 with a 69-54 victory over Frank Phillips Thursday night at Conestoga Arena. 

The Broncbusters shot 45 percent from the floor and were 8-of-22 from 3-point range. They finished 13-of-16 from the line and out rebounded the Plainsmen, 35-22. 

It took a few minutes for Rusty Elmore's team to navigate Frank Phillips' pressure defense, but once they did, it was lights out. Aundre Polk's steal followed by McGhee's right-handed jam and Dajion Humphrey's long 3-pointer gave the Broncbusters an 11-8 advantage. They never trailed after that. 

Boston Harker hit a 17-footer, McGhee swished a triple from the wing, and Polk rattled home a pair of free throws, fueling an 8-0 surge that had Garden City ahead, 19-10. It was all part of a larger 30-9 run that was polished off by a sensational three-point play by Naivalurua, who finished at the rim despite being bumped by Kiyler Hudson. The Broncbusters led by 19 at the intermission. 

Garden City built its biggest lead of the night when Naivalurua powered past two defenders for a reverse layup, making it 61-33 with 12:39 to play. He finished 5-of-6 from the floor in 30 minutes but did turn the ball over eight times. 

Frank Phillips made things a little interesting late in the second half, responding with a 15-1 run that sliced the Broncbusters lead to 62-48 with 4:53 remaining. But after Elmore called timeout, Harker nailed a 3, Naivalurua canned an open jumper, and Garden City squashed any miracle comeback bid. 

McGhee was 9-of-17 from the floor and 5-of-9 from 3 for Garden City, which won the game despite scoring just one bench point. Humphrey totaled 16 points and three rebounds in 34 minutes, Polk had nine points and four boards, and Harker finished with seven dimes. 

Fabio Dias was the lone Plainsmen in double figures with 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting.