Box Score DODGE CITY, Kan. -- The Dodge City Community College women's basketball team looked like it may snap its 20-game, 11-year losing skid to Cloud County, but fell just short in a 69-66 defeat to the Thunderbirds on Monday at the Dodge City Civic Center.

The Conquistadors (16-7, 6-6), who last defeated Cloud Feb. 16, 2005, led by as much as 12 points in the first half and trailed for only 29 seconds in the contest until the 2:40 mark of the third quarter before a Darby Price bucket gave the T-Birds (15-9, 7-6) a 48-47 advantage.

DC3 wouldn't lead again in the contest, but kept it close and had a shot at the buzzer to tie it. However, Antania Newton's 3-pointer was just off the mark and the Conqs dropped their 21st straight to Cloud.

"We had that really good first quarter, but we just couldn't hit shots after that," DC3 coach Mark James said. "We couldn't get layups to go. We didn't hit our free throws. ... I thought our half-court defense was pretty good, but when you give them second, third and fourth chances in the same possession it's tough and makes life difficult."

The Conqs struggled from the field in the second half - shooting 28.9 percent (11-for-38), including going 0-for-9 from 3-point range after hitting 6 of 13 from beyond the arc in the first half.

DC3 held Cloud to 39.7 percent shooting in the game, but allowed 16 offensive rebounds that led to 24 second-chance points. Overall, the Conqs were outrebounded 54-45.

Rachel Slattery paced the Conqs with 17 points, 18 rebounds and four blocked shots. Talisha Presley had 12 points while Antania Newton had 11 points and three assists.

Price came off the bench to lead Cloud with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Chelcie Kizart added 16 points and nine rebounds.

DC3 has a short turnaround as it hosts No. 8 Hutchinson 6 p.m. Wednesday.