Jay Daubenberger
Liberal, Kansas – A long time rivalry that has seen the series go back and forth over the years between Seward County and Garden City made its way back to the Green House on Saturday where the two rivals competed tooth and nail with each other before the Broncbusters managed to pull away in the second half and take an 81-71 win over the Saints on SCCC’s home court.
It was the Madagascar duo of Mathias M’Madi and Lovasoa Andriatsarafara who got the scoring started for the Saints in the opening minutes as they combined for the first seven points to take a 7-5 lead over Garden City before the Bronbusters pushed in front moments later. Dave Olaniyi spun his way past the defender to close the gap to two 16-14 entering the under 12:00 media timeout while M’Madi rose up high to lay it in over the outreached hand of a Garden City defender to keep Seward County within reach 31-28. Carson Bennett did what he does best with a long-range bomb from the corner for three before entering the halftime break down by five 38-33 to the Broncbusters.
M’Madi started the second half where he left off in the first with an easy move down the lane to the hoop for two to bring the score within four while a strong post move off an offensive rebound by Big Lova made it two 51-49 with Garden City still holding strong to their lead. A big man slam by Jaden Martin created an instant highlight real for the sophomore forward to keep the Saints close until a late run by the Broncbusters grew their lead out of reach. Olaniyi found Nathan Jones for a rim rattling dunk and another score from M’Madi put the freshman at 24 points on the afternoon but was not enough as Seward County fell 81-71 to their longtime rival.
M’Madi led the Saints with 24 points on 50% shooting from the field to go with 8 rebounds while Bennett and Big Lova each chipped in 15 points while Andriatsarafara also hauled in 12 rebounds for a big double-double.
Seward County now falls to a 6-19 overall record in the 2023-24 season with a 4-15 record in the Jayhawk Conference. They will now turn their attention towards another tough KJCCC rival in the Conqs of Dodge City this upcoming Wednesday with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM on 107.5.
