Box Score IOLA, Kan. – Despite out-rebounding Allen County, the Conquistadors fell to the Red Devils on Wednesday night by a score of 93-82.
 
Kevin Howard led the way as he collected his first double-double of the season scoring 16 points while also pulling down 13 rebounds. Bruce Hodges also scored 16 points on the day while Tajae Anderson and Justice Dixon added 13 points each.
 
Dodge City jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before the Red Devils knocked down a three to make it 4-3. On the next Conquistador possession, Bruce Hodges knocked down a three of his own, to quickly push the lead back to 7-3.
 
Dodge City then went on a 6-0 run to extend their lead to 13-3 before the Red Devils converted an unconventional three-point play to make it 13-6. Allen County then was able to go on a 7-2 run to cut the lead to 15-13 with 11:25 to play in the half.
 
After a free throw and a three pointer by the Red Devils, Allen County was able to grab their first lead of the game with 9:43 to play in the half, 17-15. With 8:20 to play in the half, Tajae Anderson drove to the basket and finished the layup while being fouled. After converting the three-point play, the Conquistadors cut the lead to 20-19.
 
Allen County was then able to get their lead to 25-21, but Hodges then knocked down another three to bring it back to one. Finishing the half in the double bonus, the Red Devils were able to extend their lead to six with just three minutes to play in the first half.
 
The Conquistadors were able to bring the lead within five, but Allen County scored the final two points of the half to go into the locker room leading, 38-31.
 
To start the second half, Justice Dixon came out with a lot of energy, hitting a three to cut the lead to four, then stealing the inbounds pass to cut it to two early in the second half.
 
With the Conquistadors down by four, Tajae Anderson finished a tough three-point play to bring Dodge City within one with 15 minutes to play. Allen County then got hot and quickly pushed their lead back to 10, 56-46.
 
Dodge City was able to bring it within five, but the Red Devils then scored five consecutive points to get the lead back to 10. For the second time in the second half, the Conquistadors were able to cut the lead to five, but Allen County then began to pull away knocking down a deep three late in the shot clock to take an 80-67 lead with 3:48 to play.
 
Dodge City battled until the end as Howard knocked down a big three with 37 seconds left to make it 89-82. Allen County was able to knock down two free throws with just over 20 seconds to go and a dunk late to win, 93-82.
 
With a loss to start 2018, the Conqs are now 5-9 overall and 3-7 in KJCCC play. Dodge City will be in action again on Saturday as they host Independence Community College at 3 p.m., inside the Student Activity Center.