Garden City hangs on for key conference road win in Colby

Colby, KS-The city of Colby will always have an affinity for Rusty Elmore. After all, he guided the program to its lone Region VI title in 2020. But nearly three years after putting the Trojans in the National Championship discussion, he returned as the enemy, embracing the villain-mantra with open arms. 

DaJion Humphrey scored 21 points, Buru Naivalurua added 15 and seven boards, and Garden City beat Colby, 70-64 for its third straight victory at the Events Center. The Broncbusters improved to 7-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play. 

"It was a great atmosphere tonight," Elmore said after the game. "Our guys responded well.

Facing the backdrop of a student section decked out in 'Red like Rusty' t-shirts, Garden City led for most of the game. They shot 53 percent from the floor and scored 32 points in the paint. But Colby's pressure forced 18 turnovers. 

"We were very sloppy with the ball at times," Elmore added. "We gave them opportunities all night."

After the Trojans jumped out to an early 8-2 advantage, Garden City answered with a 22-9 run. Naivalurua canned an open trey from the left wing, Humphrey scored inside, and David Elliot hit a pull-up jumper to give the Broncbusters a 24-17 advantage with 5:51 remaining. They were up 34-27 at the break. 

"We made a lot of mistakes in the first half and were fortunate to be in the position that we were in," Elmore said. 

The Broncbusters built their lead to as many as 12 in the second half following two free throws by Boston Harker that made it 40-28. But the Trojans countered with a 16-4 run punctuated by Mike Bell's driving layup that put Colby up by two. 

"We let our guard down in the second half," Elmore said. "We are very fortunate."

It didn't take long for Garden City to regain the lead after Humphrey hit a 10-foot turnaround and Harker drained a triple from the corner. They never trailed again. 

"We just have to value possessions better," Elmore added. "If you turn the ball over that many times, you're not going to win many games."

There were some anxious moments in the final minute. With the Broncbusters clinging to a two-point lead, Jaborri McGhee was whistled for a 10-second violation, giving the home team a chance to tie or take the lead. But Anthony Sellars missed a jumper on the other end, Naivalurua made a layup, and McGee intercepted Bell's pass before finishing at the rim with the right hand, putting the finishing touches on Garden City's second conference win. 

Harker scored a season-high 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting in 38 minutes for Garden City. Aundre Polk chipped in 10 points and three rebounds off the bench. 

Joshua O'Garro paced the Trojans with 21 points, and Sellars had 10 points and 10 rebounds.