Davis's near triple double not enough as Broncbusters fall to Cloud County

Garden City, KS-Things can change that quick. 

Maimouna Sissoko scored 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, Josephine Igherighe added 13, and Cloud County stormed back from 14 points down to beat Garden City, 60-55 Wednesday night at Conestoga Arena. The loss dropped the Broncbusters to 9-19 overall and 5-17 in conference. 

The defeat erased a brilliant floor game from Taya Davis, who nearly posted her second triple-double of the season with five points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds. Dayshawna Carter scored 18 points in 33 minutes, and Demi Black posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.  

Garden City shot just 28 percent from the floor and was 5-of-19 on 3s. They were 20-of-28 from the line and were outrebounded, 41-35.  

The Thunderbirds, who completed the season sweep of the Broncbusters and improved to 15-13 overall and 10-12 in league play, shot just 33 percent and missed seven free throws. But their bench outscored Garden City, 33-15 

The Broncbusters controlled the game much like they did on Saturday. They were up 10 after one and led by 12 at the intermission. Then, early in the third period, Carter found Black for a transition layup, giving Garden City a 38-24 advantage. They led 40-26 with 8:28 remaining. 

But the Thunderbirds responded. Sissoko completed a three-point play; then made a layup on Cloud County's ensuing possession, Tereia Steward drilled a straight-on 3-pointer, and the visitors outscored Garden City, 17-11 in the period to cut the deficit to six heading to the fourth.  

Then the Broncbusters went ice cold. 

Garden City missed all 12 of their shot attempts in the final period, Alize Ruiz hit 1-of-2 at the line, and Sissoko nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing, giving the Thunderbirds the lead for good. Cloud County outscored the Broncbusters, 19-8 over the final 10 minutes. 

Ruiz ripped down a game-high 16 rebounds for Cloud County, which snapped a four-game losing streak.