Box Score

Independence Pirates MBB ICC 0

Dodge City Conquistadors MBB DC3 0

Independence Pirates MBB ICC

Final

Feb. 06, 2021

Dodge City Conquistadors MBB DC3

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Independence Pirates MBB ICC	29	47	76
Dodge City Conquistadors MBB DC3	28	58	86

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | February 07, 2021

Conquistadors Use Thrilling Second Half to Pull Away Late

Next Game:

at Allen Community College

2/10/2021 | 8:00 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule

Feb. 10 (Wed) / 8:00 PM

at Allen Community College

History

Recap
Roster

For Immediate Release
For more information contact: Joseph Penno
jpenno@dc3.edu

Conquistadors Use Thrilling Second Half to Pull Away Late

The energy in the Student Activity Center was palpable on Saturday afternoon in a highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated KJCCC opponents.

The Dodge City Conquistadors and the Independence Pirates fought toe-to-toe for 39 minutes in a contest that was as good as advertised, featuring seven ties and eight lead changes.

Sophomore Madison Monroe powered the Pirates in the first half with 10 points as they came out ahead at intermission by one point, 29-28.

As Conquistador Nation has become accustomed to, the second half became the Walyn Napper show as the sophomore standout scored 19 of his game high 25 points after intermission. His dazzling style of play felt a little different in this outing as it was the first time he was able to showcase his game in front of a live audience this season.

Down 50-48 after a fast break slam by the Pirates' Shamman Artis, the Conquistadors used their most exciting sequence of the season to take the game's final lead change. Napper and sophomore Marlow Gilmore Jr. teamed up for two back-breaking alley-oops that saw Gilmore flying through the air. The first came during an inbounds play with the second in transition as Napper tossed up a pass from half court into the awaiting arms of Gilmore.

The sequence of events was a part of an 18-6 run in the middle of the second half that resulted in a six-point lead after being down by as many as four. The Pirates would get back within one on three separate occasions but it was the clutch play by Napper late that helped the home team seal the deal. Following a Tim Dalger free throw to make the score 79-76, the Conquistadors would score the last seven points of the game to reach the final score of 86-76.

"That was one of the most exciting second halves of basketball I've ever been a part of," said head coach Jake Williams. "Both teams were making big plays but we were just fortunate to make more big plays than they did down the stretch. This team continues to show a 'refuse to lose' mindset. We've still got some things to clean up, but this is a hyper competitive and resilient group that never quits."

It was certainly not lost on Coach Williams the impact the fans had on this game.

"Having fans and students in the stands was therapeutic for the players and coaches," Williams added. "It was a taste of normalcy. The atmosphere was awesome and the crowd definitely helped us late in the game."

The Conquistadors were once again led by Napper's 25 points and 10 assists, but everyone was involved in this win as all five Conquistador starters scored in double figures. Down 20 points per game with sophomore Dhieu Deing out for the contest, the rest of the starters picked up the slack. Sophomore Quindarius Thomas scored 15 points, including two threes late to help the Conquistadors keep their lead. Mike Marsh was a force inside with his 12 points and eight rebounds. Tyler Stallworth was inserted into the lineup and went for 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Sophomore Marlow Gilmore Jr. showed he could do more than walk in the clouds as he added 10 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks.

Independence's stud sophomore Tim Dalger battled foul trouble early, but came alive in the second half to finish with 14 points and six rebounds. Freshman Mikale Stevenson paced the Pirates with 17 points, six assists, and five steals. Madison Monroe helped the Pirates build their first half lead with 10 points as he finished with 17 on the day to go with his nine rebounds.

The Conquistadors move to 5-0 on the year and 4-0 in KJCCC play. The Independence Pirates drop their first game of the year as they move to 5-1 and 3-1.

Dodge City is back in action on Wednesday, February 10^th as they travel to Allen Community College for a conference double header with the girls tipping off first at 6:00 pm CST and the guys game will follow.

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