Offensive struggles cost Garden City in road loss to Cloud County

Concordia, KS-Garden City's offensive woes continued Saturday.

The Broncbusters shot a season-low 27 percent from the field and scored just 28 points over the final three quarters in a 55-44 loss to Cloud County dropping them to 7-9 overall and 3-7 in conference play. They were just 1-of-7 from three and turned the ball over 17 times. 

Alize Ruiz was one of three Cloud County players in double figures with 15 points. Maimouna Sissoko chipped in 12 points and 15 rebounds in 31 minutes.  

The Broncbusters led by as many as seven in the first quarter and were up by three going to the second. But Antwain Scales' team missed 10 of their 13 shots over the final 10 minutes of the half and their lead was only three at the intermission, 25-22.  

The second half though was Garden City's undoing.  

The Thunderbirds scored the first six points of the third capped off by Jessi Brummett's layup that gave the home team a 28-25 advantage. Meantime, Garden City went the first five minutes of the period scoreless and missed its first four shots before Dayshawna Carter's layup cut the Cloud County lead to one. After the Broncbusters surged back in front following Keyhana Turner's two-foot banker, Cloud County responded with eight straight points. And when Josephine Igherighe made a driving layup, the Thunderbirds were up 36-31 with 1:20 to play. They led 36-33 going to the fourth. 

Despite their offensive struggles, Garden City was within one after Carter beat two defenders to the rim to make it 41-40 with 4:46 remaining. But that was as close as the Broncbusters got the rest of the way. Ruiz followed with a layup, Lilly Smith hit two free throws, and Sissoko hit a turnaround five-footer to give the Thunderbirds a 49-40 lead with 1:17 on the clock.

Carter was the lone Broncbuster in double figures with 24 points despite twisting her ankle early in the second half. Black, who poured in 25 in her season debut on Wednesday, scored just seven points on 2-of-11 shooting. Taya Davis added eight points and six steals.  

Te araroa Sopoaga scored 12 points for Cloud County, which improved to 11-5 overall and 6-4 in the Jayhawk.