Box Score DODGE CITY, Kan. - Getting the stop they needed on the final possession, a turnover at the other end ended the Conquistadors' chances of taking the lead as they fell to Allen County, 79-78 on Saturday afternoon.
Jyrus Freels led the way again on the offensive end end, scoring 19 points, while also pulling down 13 rebounds on the day.
Tajae Anderson and
Kevin Howard also scored in double figures with Anderson scoring 15 and Howard scoring 10. Grabbing nine boards, Howard fell just one rebound short of a double-double.
After the Red Devils scored first, the Conquistadors fired right back, quickly grabbing a five point lead with just over 12 minutes left in the first half. For the rest of the first half, both teams traded leads back-and-forth until a layup by
Marquis McCray with two seconds left gave Dodge City a four point lead at halftime, 40-36.
Early in the second half, the Conquistadors found themselves with their largest lead of the game at six, but that lead was quickly erased as Allen County took the lead with 14:12 to play, 48-49. For the rest of the game, both teams traded baskets as the lead changed nine different times. Late in the game,
Dayton McGroarty tied the game at 76 with 1:39 to play.
On the very next possession, the Red Devils took the shot clock all the way down and Tyler Williams hit his sixth three of the game as he drilled it over two defenders to take a 79-76 lead. After a timeout by the Red Devils,
Jyrus Freels extended the Conqs possession with an offensive rebound.
Tajae Anderson then finished a layup to cut the lead to one with 37 seconds left.
After taking the shot clock all the way down again, a three by the Red Devils missed and
Kevin Howard grabbed the rebound. Anderson broke out in front of the pack but the full court pass was stolen as the Red Devils won, 79-78.
The Conquistadors are now 8-19 on the year and 6-17 in KJCCC play. They will be in action again on Wednesday at 8 p.m., as they travel to Independence Community College. The Pirates won the first meeting of the year, 79-91.
