You suspected it wasn’t Great Bend’s night when Dodge City’s Payton Magouirk banked in a 2-pointer.
You were convinced when Red Demon Chidera Okoro banked in a free throw.
The Panthers matched the record-breaking cold snap with 22 percent shooting in a 48-32 Western Athletic Conference basketball setback Tuesday. The Panthers were consistent, shooting 20 percent the first half and 24 percent the second half.
The Panthers led 24-21 in the third quarter when their offense collapsed. The Red Demons outscored the Panthers 27-8 in the final 12 minutes. Dodge City grabbed the lead 27-26 after three quarters when Magouirk and Madison Armstrong scored baskets.
The fourth quarter was even worse. Great Bend converted 1 of 13 field goals to go with seven turnovers. Dodge City took advantage with a 21-point quarter. The Red Demons converted 11 free throws and five baskets to outscore the Panthers 21-6.
Dodge City (6-3, 1-1 WAC) was led by Ezinne Okoro and Kisa Unruh with nine points apiece. Magouirk added eight points.
“We were trying too hard at times,” said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. “We had our opportunties to finish shots inside, but didn’t do that. It wasn’t a pretty game.”
Great Bend (3-6, 1-2 WAC) was led by hustling Carley Brack with 18 points, but her teammates made 6 of 36 shots, a 17 percent average.
The Panthers ran its offense to earn quality shots, but 3-point shooting (2-14) was just as inaccurate as their 2-point shooting (9-36).
“We missed some easy inside shots, got fouled, then missed some free throws,” Minton said. “Sometimes, it’s not your night.”
The Panthers were riding good momentum with a solid home victory where they outworked and outfought Buhler 52-38.
“We had momentum going in and showed we had made progress,” Minton said. “It felt like we took two steps back tonight. We had a lack of intensity.”

DC 8 8 11 21 — 48
GB 7 7 12 6 — 32
DODGE CITY (6-3, 1-1)—Ezinne Okoro 3-9 3-3 9, Unruh 2-5 6-6 9, Magouirk 3-5 2-2 8, Armstrong 3-7 0-2 7, Chidera Okro 1-2 3-6 5, Buller 2-3 1-2 5, Gleason 1-3 1-4 3, Sanchez 1-2 0-0 2, Williams 0-2 0-2 0, Totals 16-38 15-27 48.
GREAT BEND (3-6, 1-2)—Brack 5-14 7-12 18, Urban 1-3 0-3 2, Mills 2-5 0-0 4, Kaylee Unruh 0-0 1-2 1, Sydney Unruh 1-5 0-0 2, Mauler 0-3 0-0 0, Dunekack 1-3 0-0 2, Herter 1-7 0-0 3, Totals 11-50 8-17 32.
3-pointers—DC 1-8 (Armstrong 1-3, Unruh 0-1, Magiuirk 0-2, Gleason 0-2), GB 2-14 (Brack 1-2, Herter 1-4, Mills 0-1, Mauler 0-2, Dunekack 0-5). Rebounds—DC 36 (Williams 6), GB 38 (Dunekack 10). TO—DC 18, GB 18.