Broncbusters drop second conference game

By Mike Pilosof

Dodge City, KS-The Broncbusters struggled to get anything going on Saturday afternoon.

Jada Burton scored 17 points, Bree Stephens had nine points and 10 rebounds, and Dodge City beat Garden City 51-39 at the Student Activity Center. The Broncbusters lost for the second time in their last three games, shooting 26 percent (3-of-16); their third straight game under 30. It also didn't help matters that Antwain Scales' bunch turned it over 27 times, which resulted in 27 Conquistador points.

Garden City gave the ball away six times in the first 5:30, helping Dodge City build an early 10-2 lead once Jada Burton ripped the ball from Kealani Neves's hands leading to Burton's transition layup on the other end. The Broncbusters were down four at the end of one and trailed by 13 once Stephens buried a 3-pointer to make it 26-13 with 2:13 left in the half. Dodge City outscored the Broncbusters 17-9 in the second and led by 12 at the break.

The third quarter was an offensive aberration. Neither team could find the range until Jenna Rose Mafua turned Alexis Smith's turnover into a layup for a 31-17 Dodge City advantage. Meantime, Garden City managed just two baskets in the period, a Donetria McGee layup and a Neves triple that pulled the Broncbusters within 10. It was all part of a second half that saw the Broncbusters misfire on 26 of their 32 shots.

McGee finished with 18 points and five boards for Garden City, which dropped to 7-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Neves chipped in 15 points in 36 minutes. But the biggest problem? Bench production. The Broncbuster reserves managed just two points on a combined 0-of-8 shooting.

Next up: Garden City vs. Lamar-Monday, Dec. 6-5:30 pm