Dodge City women's basketball is headed to the Region VI Semifinals for the first time since the 2003-04 season after capturing a 67-63 win over Independence in the Region VI Quarterfinals on Tuesday. 
 
The Conquistadors with the win have now won 22 straight games and improved to 29-2 on the season. Conqs will now prepare for the Region VI Semifinals on Friday, March 10th in Wichita at Friends University as they will play Coffeyville at 1:00 pm. 
 
Conqs raced out to the early advantage working to a 12-5 lead over the first four minutes of the contest with Georgia Gray tallying six of the first 12 points for the Conqs. The lead would work its way to nine by the end of the first quarter as the Conqs led 23-14 after opening the game shooting 56.3% from the first 10 minutes while Independence shot just 25%. In the second quarter, the lead made its way to double figures as the Conqs led 30-19 and would carry a 37-22 advantage into halftime over the Pirates of Independence. In the second half, the Conqs would main their advantage through the third quarter taking a 56-43 lead into the fourth quarter. In the fourth Independence put together a run drawing to within single digits late as the game was 63-61 with 13 seconds left and Paris Santacaterina made a pair of free throws. After a bucket by the Pirates, it would be Leah Mafua cashing in on a pair of free throws to help the Conqs secure the 67-63 win. 
 
Conqs finished the game shooting just 36.2% but would go 21-29 from the free throw line and win the rebounding battle 44-37. Cloud County shot just 34.4% from the field and only 8-30 from three-point range. 
 
Leah Mafua paced the Conqs with 17 points going 8-10 from the free-throw line, while grabbing eight rebounds. Bree Stephens added a big double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, along with three steals and a block. Jenna Rose Mafua dropped in 10 points, while Santacaterina added 12 points with six rebounds. 
 
The Conqs now travel to Wichita at Friends University on Friday, March 10th, and will play Coffeyville in the Region VI Semifinals at 1:00 pm. With a win the Conqs would vie for the Region VI Championship on Saturday, March 11th slated for a 3:00 pm contest; the other Region VI Semifinal features #16 Barton and Butler.