Box Score CHANUTE, Kan. -- Lorenzo Dillard with the clock closing in on zero and Dodge City Community College down by a point took his man off the dribble, stopped just short to avoid the defensive help coming and released a leaning floater.

The sophomore's shot bounced softly off the glass and seemed destined for the bottom of the net, but glanced off the side of the rim and out as Neosho grabbed the rebound. The Panthers were fouled and sank a free throw with 0.9 seconds left and James Newton's three-quarter court desperation heave was off the mark as the Conquistadors fell 85-83 Wednesday on the road in their KJCCC opener.

In a game DC3 (9-2, 0-1) led 48-40 at the half, the Conquistadors couldn't hold off Neosho (8-2, 1-1) in the final 20 minutes.

The Panthers outscored DC3 16-7 in the first seven minutes of the second half to take a 56-55 advantage as the teams would take turns taking the lead for the rest of the contest.

The Conqs took their final lead when Newton drove through the lane and scored with 3:04 left in the contest to give DC3 an 82-81 advantage. Unfortunately for DC3, it would also be the Conqs' final field goal of the contest.

A free throw on DC3's next possession made it 83-81 before a Neosho 3-pointer with 2:02 left gave the Panthers the lead for good at 84-83 as neither team would score the rest of the way except for a Neosho free throw with 0.9 seconds left.

Newton led the way for the Conqs with 26 points, including eight 3-pointers as he hit his first seven attempts (all in the first half). He also added six rebounds, four steals and three assists. Dillard had 20 points and three assists, Jamil Hood had nine points and Jamie Rutherford had eight points and 13 rebounds.

Freddie McSwain led Neosho with 25 points and 15 rebounds.

The Conqs were outrebounded 41-36 and allowed 17 offensive rebounds - leading to 15 Panther second-chance points.

Dodge City hits the road again Saturday when it travels to play Coffeyville.