Box Score GREAT BEND, Kan. - With Barton pulling away in the final 10 minutes of the game, the Conquistadors fell to the Cougars on Thursday night in the first round of the Region VI Playoffs, 72-86.

Jyrus Freels finished off the year with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Kevin Howard added 14 points and four boards.

Throughout the entire first half, the Conquistadors and Cougars went back and forth, trading baskets and also trading leads. With 9:50 to play in the first half, Ishawn Murphy knocked down a three, then on the very next possession, Justice Dixon made a layup to give Dodge City a five point lead.

The Cougars would then start a run and tie the game at 45 before both teams headed to the locker room for halftime.

Again in the second half, Dodge City was able to grab a two-point lead, but that is as far as it would get for the Conqs. With just under 10 minutes to play, the Cougars went on a 9-0 run to hold an 11-point lead. The Barton lead continued to grow for the remainder of the game until they reached a 16-point lead with 2:32 left to play. 

Two free throws by Freels with 1:29 to play were the final points of the game as Barton held on to win, 86-72.

Dodge City finishes the year with an overall record of 8-23 and finished with a record of 6-20 in KJCCC play.