Dodge City men's basketball opened the second half of the Jayhawk Conference schedule at home against rival Garden City. Despite a strong first half the Conquistador's lead slipped away late and the Broncbusters snuck away with the 72-70 win. 

The loss drops the Conqs to 6-13 on the season and 3-10 in KJCCC action. 

After two minutes of action, it was just 2-1 in favor of the Conqs but the action would pick up as the game progressed. Garden City snagged their first lead at 6-5 with 15:16 remaining in the first half and the Broncbusters then pushed out a 12-6 advantage seven and half minutes into the contest. Keshawn Brown Jr found his way to the free throw for three attempts with eight minutes left in the first half and drained all three to even the game at 17-17. The free throws were the start of a 9-0 by the Conqs that led to a 23-17 lead and then a 27-19 lead as the run was stretched to a 13-1 run. Conqs worked the advantage to as high as 11 in the final portion of the first half and carried a 40-29 lead into intermission. 

Six minutes into the second half the Conqs pushed the lead to 12 and would lead by double figures or at least eight points for a while. The Broncbusters continually chipped at the Conqs lead until just under two minutes remaining Garden City evened the ball game up at 70-70 and then grabbed the 72-70 lead. The Conqs would miss a layup with just under a minute left but get the ball back and have three more cracks at the basket that came up short falling 72-70. 

In the loss, the Conqs shot just 37% from the field, while Garden City countered by shooting 50%. The Conqs defense forced 24 turnovers, while Garden City had just 13 turnovers. 

Jayse Boatwright recorded a career-high 21 points adding five rebounds, while Mynor Strong tallied 13 points adding four steals, five assists, and four rebounds. Brown Jr. chipped in 11 points off the bench, while Koch-Deng Koch had his best game as a Conq with a career-high seven points and nine rebounds. 

The Conqs hit the road on Saturday, January 25th to take on Cloud County at 3:00 pm to continue the season.