Cowley’s 3rd-Quarter Surge Sends Broncbusters to Road Loss in Arkansas City

Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics

Arkansas City, KS - Garden City's road swing ended with the Broncbusters falling at Cowley on Wednesday night, as the Tigers used a big second half to pull away for a 75-56 win in Arkansas City. The loss drops GCCC to 15-10 overall and 10-10 in Jayhawk Conference play.

The Broncbusters came out with good energy defensively and battled Cowley early, trading stops and makes through the opening minutes. London Turner set the tone inside with an early finish and activity on the glass, while Elektra Mjoll helped space the floor by knocking down timely shots from deep. Despite a handful of empty trips and a few turnovers on both sides, Garden City stayed composed and kept the game within one possession throughout the first quarter. Cowley carried a slim 16-14 edge after one.

In the second quarter, the Broncbusters found their rhythm and put together one of their best stretches of the night. Mjoll continued to hit from the perimeter on her way to five made threes, and Sokhna Ndiaye created opportunities as a playmaker while also hunting shots to keep the offense moving. Garden City's pressure produced transition chances and helped swing momentum, and the Busters' work on the offensive glass generated extra possessions to stay even. At halftime, the teams were deadlocked at 34-34.

The game turned coming out of the break. Cowley caught fire in the third quarter, jumping ahead behind efficient shot-making and a barrage from the arc. The Tigers outscored Garden City 25-13 in the period to seize control, and that cushion allowed Cowley to play from in front the rest of the way.

Garden City kept competing into the fourth, but shots became hard to come by late as the Tigers continued to answer every push. The Broncbusters shot just 31.7% for the game and went 8-for-33 from three, while Cowley connected on 10 triples and shot 58.8% from deep overall—an important difference on a night when the margin stayed within striking distance for much of the first half.

Mjoll led Garden City with 17 points and five made three-pointers, while Ndiaye added 13 points and five assists in 39 minutes. Turner finished with eight points and was active defensively, and Marshea Fisher chipped in six points and six rebounds.

Cowley was paced by Mallory Jackson's 20 points and Aniyah Burney's 15, as the Tigers also made the most of extra chances created by turnovers. Cowley held a 26-19 edge in points off turnovers and a 12-7 advantage in second-chance points, helping them stretch the game during the second half run.

With the result, the season series between the two programs ends in a split—each team defending home court in conference play.

Next up: Garden City returns home to host Dodge City on Saturday, February 21st at 2:00 p.m.