For the first time in school history, the Dodge City women's basketball team will be competing in the Elite Eight of the NJCAA Division I National Tournament after earning a 72-52 win over Arizona Western in the second round. 

The win gives the Conqs a win at the National Tournament for the second straight year and improves the Conqs to 30-4 on the season. The 30 wins are the most in a single season in school history. The Conqs will look to add to the win total and continue to advance in the tournament on Saturday, March 29th when they play in the Elite Eight at 3:30 pm against the winner of New Mexico and Florida Southwestern. 

The action opened slow for both teams, but the Conqs worked to an early 7-0 lead and held Arizona Western off the scoreboard until the 4:31 mark in the first quarter. By the end of the first quarter, the Conqs would hold the lead but only 12-11. In the second quarter, the Conqs would fall behind but at the media timeout with 4:44 left in the first half the Conqs would mount a 10-0 run to go up 29-20 leading to an Arizona Western timeout and the Conqs went into halftime up 32-25 after outscoring Arizona Western 13-5 to finish the first half. The Conqs would find a groove offensively in the second half as they opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run to grab a double-figure lead and would outscore Arizona Western 13-2 through the first five minutes of the second half. Conqs would ultimately have a 20-8 third quarter and take firm control leading 52-33 after three stanzas. The Conqs would use that third quarter to secure the game 72-52 and advance to the Elite Eight. 

Conqs defense was strong yet again holding an opponent to under 35% shooting for the 24th time this season as Arizona Western shot 32.8% for the game and would force 19 turnovers from Arizona Western. Conqs would shoot 40.9% and dominate the boards 48-25 winning the rebounding battle. 

Shorna Preston would pace the Conqs with her 19th double-double of the season recording 21 points and 13 rebounds, along with six steals and two blocks. Preston was selected as the Jersey Mike's Player of the Game by the NJCAA. Layla-J Cameron added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, along with five assists. Tayah Morgan chipped in 13 points and six rebounds, while Morgan Ruff tallied nine points on three three-pointers off the bench. 

The Conqs continue in the NJCAA DI National Tournament on Saturday, March 29th at 3:30 pm (2:30 pm MST) in Casper, Wyoming in the Elite Eight as they will square off with New Mexico or Florida Southwestern who play in the second round on Friday, March 28th.