Pratt storms back from 21 down; stuns Garden City

Pratt, KS-It was another problematic third quarter for Garden City. 

Princess Anderson scored 18 of her game-high 25 points in the second half, Pratt outscored Garden City 49-29 over the final 20 minutes, and the Beavers turned a 21-point deficit into a 78-72 victory over the Broncbusters Wednesday night at Dennis Lesh Arena. 

Emily Acton nailed 4-of-8 3s and finished with 16 points for Pratt, which snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 9-11 overall and 4-11 in conference. Isis Sanders recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in 39 minutes.  

Antonicia Moultrie scored 20 points and pulled down nine rebounds for Garden City, which dropped its eighth straight game. Stevi Yancy added 17 but scored just two points in the second half.  

"The third quarter continues to be a problem," Broncbuster Head Coach, Greg Franklin said. "It happens every game." 

Wednesday night was no exception.  

Ana Ramos-Pires knocked down a contested jumper in the paint to give Garden City a 50-29 advantage with 7:51 left in the third. But the Beavers answered with an avalanche, ripping off a 21-7 run to pull within 57-50 heading to the fourth. 

The nightmare was just beginning.  

Anderson made a free throw, Acton knocked down a left-corner 3, and Sanders connected from 13 feet to pull Pratt within three, 63-60 with 6:31 to go. Moments later, Celesta Teijema rattled home a triple from the wing to make it a one-point contest.  

After Yancy gave Garden City a three-point cushion with a baseline jumper, Teijema hit a again, this time from inside the foul line. Anderson followed with a pair of free throws, and after Moultrie split a pair at the stripe at the other end to tie the game at 72 with 40 seconds left, it was Anderson, giving the Beavers the lead for good with a 10-foot banker over the outstretched arms of Sierra Driessen to make it 74-72 with 18 seconds remaining. 

Garden City (10-10, 5-10) had a golden chance to take the lead on their ensuing possession, but Yancy misfired on a 3-pointer from the left wing. Acton and Anderson combined to sink four free throws in the final seconds, and Pratt handed the Broncbusters a stunning defeat.  

It was a tale of two halves, literally for Garden City. The Broncbusters were up six after one and led by 14 at the break. They then scored the first seven points of the third to open up their largest lead of the night. 

Garden City shot 43 percent from the field for the game but was just 11-of-31 (35 percent) in the second half. They were outrebounded, 43-29 and surrendered 17 offensive rebounds.