Box Score DODGE CITY, Kan. -- A scorching hot first half for the Dodge City Community College men's basketball team led to a 25-point advantage at the break and the Conquistadors cruised from there for a 95-78 victory over Labette Community College on Saturday in the final game of the Pizza Hut Classic at the Civic Center.
Dodge City (6-1) shot a sizzling 71.0 percent from the field in the first half (22-for-31), including 6-for-11 from 3-point range, to build a 58-33 lead at the half. The Conquistadors shared the ball well too, getting an assist on 18 of their 22 field goals (led by 10 first-half assists by point guard
Lorenzo Dillard).
"That's the type of team we can be and it was a pretty exciting first half," Dodge City coach
Kyle Campbell said. "It was enjoyable to sit back and just watch those guys play."
The first half for Dodge City was littered with slick, unselfish passing, alley-oop dunks and accurate perimeter shooting that had the Conquistador faithful excited. Add that to a defensive effort that limited the Cardinals to 32.4 percent shooting (11-for-34) and it was a stellar first 20 minutes.
However, as good as the first 20 minutes were for Dodge City - the second half left Campbell less than thrilled.
Dodge City was outscored 45-37 in the final 20 minutes, let the Cardinals shoot 47.1 percent from the field and allowed several easy baskets around the rim. It came a day after allowing the Lamar Community College junior varsity to outscore them 47-46 in the second half after dominating the first half 53-19 during a 99-66 victory.
"We got to start playing better in the second half," Campbell said. "That's two nights in a row that we've tuned out defensively. It's creating bad habits and it's something I don't like."
Jamil Hood paced Dodge City on Saturday with 17 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Dillard ended up with 12 assists to go along with 16 points,
James Newton had 16 points and three assists,
Jamie Rutherford had 16 points and four rebounds while
Josh Boutte had nine points and 10 rebounds.
Jonathon Cummings led Labette with 25 points and eight rebounds.
Dodge City hosts Northwest Kansas Tech 8 p.m. Tuesday.
