The Saints fall short 90-81 to the No. 22 Conquistadors

LIBERAL, Kan. - Seward County Community College fell short on Saturday, November 28th, against No. 22 Dodge City Community College 90-81. The Saints led 46-38 at halftime, but the Conquistadors outscored Seward County 52-35 in the second half to claim victory. Seward County is now 5-2 on the year, falls 2-1 in the KJCCC, and will continue conference play at Cloud Cunty Community College on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT. 

Jaylin Henderson led the Saints with 23 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Blessin Kimble recorded his second double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Wilson Dubinsky added 16 points, and Mario Whitley had 11 and seven rebounds for Seward County. 

Early in the first half, the Saints took a 12-10 advantage after a mid-range jumper by Nathan Jones with 14:54 on the clock. A three by Connor Miller put the Saints in the lead 20-13 over the Conqs as they looked to build on the early lead. Dodge City responded with a quick 5-0 run to cut the lead down to 22-18and cut it to a one-point game, 28-27, with 7:48 left in the opening half. 

Seward County regained the lead 37-35 after a Jaden Martin layup with 4:27 on the clock, and the Saints closed out the half on an 11-3 run to lead 46-38 at halftime.

The Saints took their largest lead of the game, 49-38, to start the second half with a three by Jaylin Henderson. Dodge City cut the lead to single digits 54-45 after a free throw with 16:38 left in the contest. Seward County used a timeout at the 13:47 mark after a 9-2 run by Dodge City as the Saints led 56-54. After the timeout, the Conqs took the lead 57-56, and the Saints trailed for the first time since the 16-minute mark of the second half. 

With nine minutes left, the Saints cut the lead down to two points, 65-63, after Blessin Kimble's two made free throws. The Conqs went on a 15-5 run to take control of the contest and lead the Saints 81-68 at the four-minute mark. Seward County looked to make a final push with a dunk by Henderson, putting the Saints down 81-74 after a 6-0 run, but only two minutes remained in the contest. After a late surge, the Saints could not catch the Conqs as Dodge City went on to win 90-81. 

Seward County will look to bounce back on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT at Cloud County.