The Dodge City men's basketball team is off to its best start since head coach
Brad Witherspoon's first season in 2022-23 after an 84-82 upset of #2 South Plains on the road.
The win moves the Conqs to 4-1 on the season, and the win over a ranked opponent is the tenth of coach Witherspoon's coaching career at Dodge City.
It was a slow start for the Conqs as South Plains doubled up the Conqs 10-5 over the first two minutes, but the Conqs would stay close and tie the game up at 12-12 on a three-pointer from
Brad Johnson with 14:15 left in the first half. The lead swung to the Conqs at 14-12 on a
Derrick Rivers jumper, but then it flipped back-and-forth the rest of the first half until the Conqs grabbed a 36-33 lead and took a 40-36 lead into halftime. The Conqs opened the second half on a 9-4 stretch to lead 49-40, but South Plains tightened up the contest again until another run by the Conqs would see the lead grow to double figures as high as 13 at 68-55 with 6:31 remaining. South Plains didn't go away quietly, drawing back within single digits with just over two minutes remaining. After a three-pointer by South Plains, the Conqs' lead was just 81-77 with 1:27 left. A pair of free throws by South Plains made it a two-point game at 82-80, and then the Conqs turned over the ball, which led to a layup attempt by South Plains, earning them two free throws, which they made to tie the game at 82-82 with 5.9 seconds left. The Conqs would push down the court, and
Jordan Russell would hit the game-winning shot for the Conqs to snag the 84-82 road win.
On the night, the Conqs shot 42.6% from the field and 50% from behind the arc, netting 10 three-pointers, while also shooting 22-29 from the free throw line.
Rivers continued his strong start to the season, pouring in 32 points on 8-19 shooting and 15-18 from the free throw line, while adding eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Johnson chipped in 15 points, while
Jayvion Nurse contributed 12 points and Russell added 10 points.
Conqs wrap up non-conference play on Saturday, November 15th at 4:00pm when they take on Frank Phillips in Borger, Texas.
