Tight and to the wire the Dodge City men's basketball team has played its fair share of close ball games during the 2025-26 season and the flip of the calendar to 2026 from 2025 didn't change as the Conquistadors edged Fort Hays Tech Northwest 76-74. 

The Conqs with the win improved to 10-4 on the season and 6-2 in KJCCC action. The win is also the ninth on the season for the Conqs by single digits. 

After a 4-3 start to the ballgame, the Conqs would mount a run, going up 14-5 to lead by nine after a 10-2 run. The nine-point early lead by the Conqs would be the largest of the game on either side and it didn't last long as Tech countered, drawing within one and then taking the lead at 15-14 with 10:03 left in the first half, ultimately leading 16-14 after an 11-0 run. Tech would manage to keep the lead in their favor pretty much the rest of the first half, leading to a 34-29 lead at intermission. The Conqs would push back in the early portion of the second half and swing the lead back, but the lead would change hands several times in the second half. Tigers would push the lead to six in their favor several times over the final six minutes but with 1:55 remaining a Rickey Loftin II layup would draw the game even at 73-73. Jayvion Nurse would net a pair of free throws, and then a Brad Johnson free throw gave the Conqs a 76-74 advantage with eight seconds left after Tech was unable to tie it before the Johnson free throw. The Tigers played for the final shot of the game, looking for a three-pointer that would bounce off the rim, giving the Conqs a 76-74 victory. 

Conqs shot 43.9% in the contest and went 20-26 from the free throw line, while holding Tech to just 37.9% shooting. Defensively, the Conqs tied their season high with 11 steals as they forced 16 turnovers by the Tigers. 

Eighteen points each for Loftin II and Johnson led the Conqs on the day. Loftin II was 8-14 from the field and added seven rebounds, three steals, and five assists to his 18 points. Derrick Rivers finished with 17 points, including a 9-0 run in the second half by himself, while Nurse chipped in 13 points, going 7-9 from the free throw line. Wesly Rosa grabbed 10 rebounds. 

The Conqs are back in action at home on Wednesday, January 7th, at 7:30 pm against rival Garden City.