Broncbusters win in double OT behind Chol's double-double

Garden City, KS-Who knows how the 2025-25 season will play out. But through three games, there is one absolute certainty: no one is slowing down Antonio Chol.  

The Rutgers transfer poured in 35 points including a go-ahead elbow jumper in overtime, Nikita Tyukalo chipped in 20, and Garden City topped North Platte, 113-107 in double OT Saturday night at Conestoga Arena.  

"I give a lot of credit to our associate head coach, Jack (Galatzka)," Head Coach, Isaiah Tisdale said. "In overtime, he kept telling our guys to figure it out; figure out a way to win. And our guys did just that."

Boston Harker scored 19, and Emmanuel Manyuon added 10 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and four assists for the Broncbusters, which improved to 2-1 overall. 

"Our guys just didn't give up, so all the credit goes to them," Tisdale explained. "I mean, we do some pretty insane scenarios in practice, and they have to fight through some adversity. Tonight, it paid off."

Trailing by six in the final minute of the first overtime, Chol drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key to pull Garden City to within three. Seconds later, Manyuon knocked the ball away from Justus Michael who then fouled Josiah Sabino. The Jacksonville transfer drained two free throws to make it 100-99 with 21 seconds remaining.  

"We were very connected down the stretch," Tisdale said. 

Michael missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and Caleb Smith drained 1-of-2 free throws on the other end to tie the game at 100 and push it to a second overtime. That's where Chol's heroics paid off, drilling a contested jumper just right of the free throw line to give Garden City the lead for good. Manyuon followed with a steal and dunk, and Smith converted a three-point play to put the game away.  

"The best part about him (Chol) is that he's not selfish," Tisdale said. "He's not out here hunting shots. He's one of the most unselfish players you'll find. He gets his off the flow of the offense. He knows when it's his time to go get a basket."

The sophomore finished 12-of-20 from the floor, 6-of-12 from downtown and 5-of-5 from the line. He added 15 rebounds and two blocks.  

In reality though, the game should never have gone into overtime. The Broncbusters held an eight-point advantage after Sabino beat Omel Occeus to the rim for a layup that made it 81-73 with 3:34 to play. But following a Knights' timeout, North Platte responded with a 13-2 run punctuated with Alex Harper's made shot inside the paint that gave the visitors an 86-83 lead.  

But give Tisdale's team a ton of credit for learning from their second-half collapse vs. McCook on opening night. With the clock winding down in regulation on Saturday, Smith located Manyuon, who swished a triple from the top of the key to tie the game at 86.  

North Platte still had a chance to win it, but Harper's halfcourt heave hit the back iron sending the game into overtime.  

Harper scored 32 points in 48 minutes for North Platte, which fell to 2-3 overall. Michael added 26 and nine boards. 

The game featured 18 lead changes and 10 ties. Garden City was outscored, 52-34 in the paint but outrebounded the Knights, 44-38.