Second-Half Surge Lifts Tigers Past Broncbusters

Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics

Arkansas City, KS - Garden City Community College saw an early lead slip away Wednesday night as Cowley County used a dominant second half to hand the Broncbusters a 100-76 loss at W.S. Scott Arena in Arkansas City.

The Busters couldn't have scripted a much better start. Jamir Westry opened the scoring with a strong take to the rim, and Garden City quickly built a 6-0 advantage after forcing early stops on the defensive end. Mangok Gach provided a spark in the opening minutes with a dunk in transition and an emphatic block on Cowley's first possession, setting the tone physically. The energy translated into an 8-0 lead and early confidence for the Broncbusters.

Cowley, however, responded the way good conference teams do—by settling in and leaning into their strengths. The Tigers began attacking the paint and crashing the offensive glass, earning second-chance opportunities and trips to the free-throw line. Leslie Owens Jr. and Kyden Thompson helped steady Cowley offensively, trimming the deficit possession by possession.

Garden City continued to find answers throughout the first half. Zaire Lott connected from deep to briefly swing momentum back in the Busters' favor, and Lucas Kalimba gave the team interior balance with a couple of timely finishes. Nico Doume and Devonte Reed battled on the boards to extend possessions, while the bench provided defensive minutes to keep the game tight.

The contest featured multiple ties and lead changes through the middle of the half. When Jordon Nevill knocked down a three to put Garden City up 33-30, it appeared the Busters might carry momentum into the break. Instead, Cowley closed the half on a strong run, capitalizing on turnovers and converting free throws to take a 43-37 lead into halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, Cowley seized control.

Dasean Lewis opened the second-half scoring for Garden City with a mid-range jumper, but the Tigers responded with back-to-back interior buckets and continued to attack downhill. Roman Miller's presence inside and Thompson's ability to finish through contact kept the pressure squarely on the Broncbusters.

Garden City struggled to string together stops in the early stages of the second half, and Cowley's offensive rhythm only improved. The Tigers shot 55.6% after the break and pushed the margin into double digits midway through the half. Every time Garden City showed signs of cutting the deficit—whether it was a Lott three, Lewis free throws, or a Kalimba putback—Cowley answered with either a transition basket or another trip to the line.

A mid-half surge by the Tigers effectively put the game out of reach. Fueled by offensive rebounds, transition dunks, and disciplined ball movement, Cowley stretched the lead past 20 points and never looked back. The Tigers finished the night nearly perfect at the free-throw line (26-of-27), a key difference in the contest.

Despite the scoreline, Garden City continued to compete through the final minutes. Lewis knocked down a late three, Kalimba converted inside, and the Busters kept battling on the glass, but the gap was too much to overcome.

Westry led Garden City with 12 points, while Lewis, Lott, and Kalimba each added 11. The Broncbusters shot 41.1% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc (5-of-24) and committed 15 turnovers. Cowley was paced by Kyden Thompson's 24 points, with Roman Miller adding 17 and Leslie Owens Jr. contributing 15. The Tigers also finished with 17 assists to just five turnovers, highlighting their efficiency on the offensive end.

With the loss, Garden City falls to 16-10 overall and 11-9 in KJCCC play as the regular season enters its final stretch.

Next Up: The Broncbusters return home Saturday, February 21, 2026, hosting Dodge City Community College at 4:00 p.m. inside Conestoga Arena.