The second straight ranked opponent came to town for the Dodge City men's basketball team to square off with as they hosted the #11 Cowley Tigers and while the Conquistadors pushed the Tigers it was a strong second half and finish by Cowley that handed the Conqs a 76-55 loss. 

The Conqs fall to 5-7 on the season with the loss and 3-3 in KJCCC action. 

Over the first five minutes of the contest, the Conqs struggled to get going offensively while Cowley would grab ahold of control in the contest working to a 12-4 lead. The lead would remain around the eight-point mark until the Conqs offense found a bit of a groove mounting a 10-1 run that was capped with a Dawson Taylor three-pointer to make it 21-20 Conqs in front. It would remain tight throughout the final six and half minutes of the first half but the Tigers would hold the lead entering halftime but only by two at 35-33. 

The second half started much like the start of the contest as the Conqs struggled to score as the Tigers opened the second half on a 6-0 run ultimately working their advantage to double figures. The Conqs would make multiple advances to cut the deficit down but Cowley would answer back to grab the game, 76-55. 

In the loss, the Conqs shot just 29.7% from the floor while Cowley countered with 43.8% shooting.

Jackson Swartz posted a career night with his first double-figure performance contributing 15 points on 5-7 shooting and 5-5 from the free throw line while grabbing seven rebounds. Gavin Shannon added 16 points with eight rebounds. 

The Conqs' run of matchups with ranked opponents continues Saturday, December 9th when they travel to El Dorado to take on #17 Butler at 4:00 pm in the final game before the holiday break.