Box Score The Dodge City Community College women were looking to get off to a good start in conference play as they traveled to Independence for the first conference game of the year. It took two extra periods, but they did manage to get away with a 76 to 70 victory on Wednesday night. 

The game was very back and forth for the first ten minutes. Indy jumped out to an early slim lead, but the Conqs were not about to let them put much distance between the two. Dodge battled back and actually took a 15-14 lead at the end of the first period. The second quarter was much better for the Conqs as they continued solid, but not spectacular, offensive play and clamped down defensively on the Pirates. Dodge held Indy to twelve points for the quarter and managed to slightly pull away by the half. At halftime the score was 31-26 in favor of the Conqs.

Dodge City looked like they might pull away from the Pirates during the third quarter. The Conqs were hot from the three point line as they hit 10 out of 18 for the game. That outside shooting allowed them to once again outscore Indy in the quarter by a count of 18 to 15 to take an eight point lead at 49-41 going into the final period. The Pirates finally found their stride in the fourth quarter. They turned up the defensive pressure and it led to a good performance on the offensive end as they stormed back in the final period. The Pirates also took to fouling the Conqs and forcing them to the line. The strategy was successful as Dodge missed five of their last six free throws in regulation. The Pirates took advantage of that to tie the game at 60. Ashley Nelson had one last shot to win the game, but it bounced off the rim sending the game to overtime.

In the first overtime period Independence jumped out to an early four point lead at 64-60, but the Conqs turned up their defensive effort and made their way back into the game. They managed to tie the score at 66 which is where the period ended. In the second overtime the Pirates once again jumped out to a lead as they hit the first shot of the period. Dodge was not going to let this one get away though. They put together a 10-2 run the remainder of the second overtime to come away with a 76 to 70 victory.

Sophomore forwards Makaela Ewing and Nelson led the way for Dodge City as they scored 16 and 13 points respectively. Nelson added seven rebounds to go with her point total to lead the Conqs. Fredrionna Adams also scored in double figures with 11 points of her own. Adams his a key three pointer in each of the overtime periods.

"We showed a lot of fight tonight," said head coach Zach Loll. "That is a tough team with a special post player and our ladies did not back down. This is the kind of win you are going to need to be able to get to have a chance in this conference."

The win moves the Conqs to 6-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play. They will return to the floor Saturday at home against Neosho County Community Collge at 1:00pm at the Student Activity Center.