Garden City loses big lead; falls in Ark City

Arkansas City, KS-In a season filled with twists and turns, Garden City experienced another heartbreaker on Wednesday night. 

Baylee Fincher scored 17 of her game-high 30 points in the second half, Anna Przyszlak chipped in 14, and Cowley stormed back from 18 points down to beat the Broncbusters, 83-79 at William Scott Gym. The loss dropped Garden City to 8-18 overall and 4-16 in conference play. 

The Broncbusters shot 43 percent and were 6-of-16 from distance. They finished 19-of-28 from the line and turned the ball over 16 times. Dayshawna Carter, who came off the bench, scored 20 points in 29 minutes. Stevi Yancy added a career-high 19 and hit five 3s. 

Garden City dominated the first quarter, thanks to Yancy, who scored 14 points in the opening period including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the wing to give the Broncbusters a 22-9 lead after one. They pushed it to 18 early in the second when Carter's free throw made it 27-9.  

But the Tigers slowly chipped away pulling to within 12 at the break following Fincher's jumper with 10 seconds to make it 43-31. In the second half, the Tigers scored 52 points including a 28-point third period that saw Fincher take over. The sophomore made a layup; then drilled a deep 3 to pull Cowley to within four. Then, in the final minute, Fincher banked home a driving layup, and Gracie Gilpin rattled home a 3-pointer to give the Tigers a 59-58 edge. Only Demi Black's two free throws preserved Garden City's lead going to the fourth. 

With the Broncbusters clinging to a one-point lead following two Carter free throws, Przyszlak nailed a go-ahead triple that put the Tigers in front for good. She followed with a layup on Cowley's next possession, and Finch made two free throws and a finger roll to give the home team a 77-68 lead with 4:09 remaining.  

Garden City still had a chance after Carter's layup capped an 11-4 run that pulled the Broncbusters to within two, 81-79 with 18 seconds left. But after Fincher turned the ball over, Taya Davis missed a runner in the paint. Fincher drained two free throws, and Cowley completed the comeback.  

Ariyah Brooks scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds for Garden City. Black and Keyhana Turner each scored 10.