Dodge City men's basketball is the comeback kids again as they upended the top KJCCC team in #19 Butler, grabbing an 88-86 win at home. 

The Conquistadors improved to 18-10 on the season and 14-8 in the KJCCC and remained in third place in the KJCCC standings. The victory also marks the 50th KJCCC win in the coaching career of Head Coach Brad Witherspoon. Conqs improved to 17-4 on the season in games decided by single digits. 

Butler grabbed the early lead with the first four points of the ball game, and the Grizzlies then jumped up 16-8 five minutes into the matchup. After settling in after the media timeout, the Conqs looked to make a push, but the lead flipped to double figures at 21-11 for Butler. Conqs finally got going, mounting a 12-0 run, grabbing a 23-21 lead, the first lead of the game for the Conqs coming with just under 10 minutes left in the first half. The lead changed hands several times over the next six minutes until Butler pushed back in front at 39-37 as they held the lead the rest of the first, outscoring the Conqs 11-7, including four free throws late in the half to hold a 50-44 lead at halftime. 

Conqs remained within striking distance early in the second half, but Butler extended the lead to nine and then double figures, holding their largest lead of the game at 72-60 with 12 minutes remaining. With just over five minutes left, an Andrew Mabry three-pointer put the Conqs in front for the first time in the second half at 83-81. Butler answered with a three-pointer, but Derrick Rivers netted a jumper to make it 85-84 with just over two minutes left. A pair of free throws by Butler pushed the Grizzlies to an 86-85 advantage, then with 35 seconds left, Rivers hit 1-2 free throws to tie the game. After a missed three-pointer by Butler, the Conqs looked for the final shot, and Rickey Loftin II drove to the hoop, getting fouled with 1.4 seconds remaining and calmly hit two free throws, and Butler coughed the ball up with a turnover on their last try as the Conqs earned the 88-86 victory. 

On the night, the Conqs shot 43.8%, while defensively they held Butler to their second lowest scoring performance of the season as the Grizzlies shot just 33.7%. The Conqs' defense protected the rim well with 11 blocks in the win. 

Loftin II tallied 18 points, including the two free throws to secure the win, while adding eight rebounds and five assists. Mabry chipped in 18 points, while Jayvion Nurse added 17 points and seven rebounds. Rivers finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, going 7-8 from the free throw line. Brad Johnson, Christian Brockett, and Wesly Rosa each contributed seven points, while Rosa added 15 rebounds and six blocks. 

The Conqs are back at home on Saturday, February 28th, when they host Independence with a 3:00 pm tip time in the final regular season home game.