Warrior’s late basket lifts Dodge City to 64-60 win at Cowley

With Saturday's home game against the Dodge City men's basketball team tied at 60-60, the Conquistadors grabbed a 62-60 lead on a basket by sophomore Shawn Warrior with only 11.7 seconds remaining. Following a turnover on the Tigers' ensuing possession, Dodge City would hit a pair of free throws with 4.8 seconds left to seal the 64-60 road win.

After five straight wins to open the season, the Tigers are now 5-2 overall and 0-2 in the Jayhawk Conference. Dodge City improves its record to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

On Saturday, Cowley shot only 32.4 percent and trailed 35-28 at the end of the first half.

"We got off to another slow start in the first half," Cowley head coach Donnie Jackson said. "It seems we are always playing catch up heading into the second half."

The Tigers used a 12-3 run to open the second half and regain a 40-38 lead on a basket by sophomore Xavier Washington.

"I thought the guys we started at the beginning of the second half did a great job of getting us back into the game," Jackson said. "Demetrius (Rives) really played his tail off. We have to find a way to sustain that same energy for a full game."

Cowley would hold a 57-54 lead after a pair of free throws by Washington with 5:17 remaining. However, the Tigers would not score again until Raishaun Brown's three-pointer tied the game at 60-60 with 32 seconds remaining. Thus, setting the stage for the late-game dramatics.

"During our current struggles, the last five minutes of the game have not been kind to us," Jackson said. "We need our sophomore leaders to step up. Guys who are supposed to produce have to start producing. Credit to Dodge City. They found a way to win."

Washington led Cowley with 12 points, while Mekhi Cameron and Xavier Valley added 10 points apiece. Rives chipped in with nine points and six rebounds.

Cowley will look to get back in the win column when they play at Barton Community College Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The Cougars are 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in the conference.

"The road doesn't get any easier. Barton is a very good team," Jackson said. "They are really good offensively and have really been defending. We need to figure things out in a hurry and show some urgency to get tougher."