Box Score LA JUNTA, Colo. - Trailing throughout, the Dodge City Community College men's basketball team was unable to make a second half run, falling to Otero Junior College by a score of 87-65 on Wednesday night. 

The Conquistadors had 23 turnovers on the day which led to 24 points for the Rattlers, while the Conqs only forced 13 turnovers for 13 points.

Jyrus Freels and Tajae Anderson led the way offensively, with both scoring 11 points on the day while Freels was able to pull down a team-high seven rebounds. Hunter Davis was the only other Conquistador in double figures, dropping 10 points.

Eight seconds into the game, the Rattlers were able to finish a layup and take a 2-0 lead and they never looked back after that. Five minutes later, the Rattlers extended their lead to 13-7, but Dayton McGroarty was able to find Davis on a fast break for a dunk to cut the lead back to four.

With just under 10 minutes to play in the first half, Otero was able to extend their lead to 12 and before the end of the half, pushed it to 14 as both teams went to the locker room with Otero leadig 40-26.

Things did not get much easier for the Conquistadors in the second half as the Rattlers were able to push their lead to 21 points with 13:23 left in the game.

The Rattlers did not stop their, eventually reaching a 31-point lead with 2:21 left in the game, but the Conqs kept battling, eventually cutting the lead to 22 before the final buzzer, losing, 87-65. 

Dodge City moves to 5-8 overall on the year and stays at 3-6 in KJCCC play. The Conquistadors now head into Christmas break and will not be in action again until January 3, when they travel to Allen County Community College.