Behind a strong third quarter, the Dodge City women's basketball team would pick up another convincing win on the season beating #23 Butler 85-70.
The win moves the Conquistadors to 9-1 on the season and 4-0 in KJCCC play marking the first time the Conqs have started 4-0 to conference play under Head Coach,
Landon Steele. The victory marks the sixth in the last eight meetings for the Conqs against Butler.
The Conqs would jump out to a 7-2 start to the contest but Butler countered with a 16-0 run to lead 18-7 with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. The offensive woes continued down the stretch of the first quarter for the Conqs as they could not close the game from the big run by the Grizzlies trailing 26-15 after the first 10 minutes. The Conqs answered however in the second quarter going on a 12-2 run to draw within one point at 28-27 with just under six minutes remaining in the first half. With one minute left in the first half, the Conqs drew even at 35-35 as
Shorna Preston split a pair of free throws but a late steal and led to a put-back chance as time expired in the first for Butler giving the Grizzlies a 37-35 lead at halftime.
To open the second half the Conqs came up firing as
Tayah Morgan and
Layla-J Cameron each drained a three-pointer giving the Conqs a 41-37 lead. The Conqs grew the lead to nine with just under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter and grabbed their first double-figure lead with a
Becca Unruh three-pointer to make it 57-46. The third quarter would be dominated by the Conqs as they outscored Butler 23-9 in the frame and used that to propel themselves to the 85-70 win.
For the fifth time this season, the Conqs shot over 50% as a team as they shot a season-best 52.9% from the field continuing to share the ball well with 22 assists on 27 made field goals. The Conqs also continue to hinder their opponents holding Butler to just 32.4% shooting making it every game this season where opponents have shot under 40%, and seven games where opponents have shot under 35%. The Conqs would also net 12 three-pointers in the victory.
Cameron recorded her fourth 20+ point performance of the season recording 23 points on 7-12 shooting and 7-10 from the free throw line while adding five rebounds and five assists.
Tayah Morgan matched her career-high scoring 19 points draining five three-pointers, while
Mia Jordan chipped in 10 points. Preston added nearly a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, along with three blocks.
Savi Mi hit three big three-pointers for nine points and Unruh tallied eight points.
The Conqs hit the road for more KJCCC action next Wednesday, December 4th to travel to Pratt for a 5:30 pm tilt and then return home on Saturday, December 7th against Seward County for a 1:00 pm contest. Only three more games remain for the holiday break.
