Winter break has ended and the 2024 calendar year has begun with the Lady Saints kicking off the second semester on a high note as they made the hour trip down the road to Garden City where Seward County was able to grab a big conference win over the Broncbusters 71-63 behind Xoe Rosalez’s 25-point performance.
After a week and a half removed from action the Lady Saints came out swinging to start the game as Kayla Peoples scored six of SCCC’s eight points to open the first quarter and take an early lead that never faltered. Ari Gordon knocked down a turnaround jumper to increase the lead out to 12-8 and a few moments later Rosalez sunk in her first three of the afternoon to end the first ten minutes of action ahead 17-10 over the Broncbusters.
Seward County’s offensive success continued into the second as Rosalez slashed down the lane for an easy two points and Jamia Carter banked in a jumper from the top of the arc for her first points of the night that put the Lady Saints ahead 25-17. A few minutes later that lead grew into double digits as Allie Myers bullied ball her way down low for an offensive putback that gave Seward County a 30-20 advantage over Garden City. Despite trailing throughout the game, the Broncbusters did not back away as they climbed their way back with an 11-5 run to head into halftime with SCCC’s advantage down to four at 35-31.
The second half began with the Lady Saints once again growing their lead back out as Myers continued to dominate the boards with an offensive putback before driving across the baseline for a layup that put Seward County ahead 41-35. An 11-6 run sparked by threes from Naomi Aragonez and Rosalez pushed their advantage back to double figures at 52-41 before Carter slashed past her defender for the layup to enter the final ten minutes ahead 54-44.
The Lady Saints lead remained strong through the final quarter of action as Aragonez powered through for an offensive putback that put the SCCC lead up to 57-46 that grew out even further thanks to a steal and score by Rosalez who converted the and-one opportunity for a 62-49-point lead. A late run by the Broncbusters wasn’t enough to make a comeback for Garden City as Seward County ended the afternoon on top 71-63 for their first win of the new year.
Three Lady Saints reached the double figures scoring mark led by Rosalez who recorded a game high of 25 points while Gordon chipped in 11 points of her own. Myers recorded her fourth double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and hauling in 18 rebounds while also snatching away 4 steals.
Seward County now improves to 7-6 on the 2023-24 season and increases their conference record to 3-4 in the Jayhawk conference. They will return home to the Green House on Saturday to take on KJCCC rival #15 Dodge City with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 PM against the Conquistadors.
