LIBERAL – It was Miller’s time.
Great Bend’s Dalton Miller swung the momentum with a steal and layup to ignite a dominating second half for a 53-43 Western Athletic Conference basketball victory. The Panthers (3-11, 1-3 WAC) snapped a 14-game losing streak to Liberal.
The Panthers accurately scouted Liberal’s second-half inbounds play and took advantage.
“Dalton made a great play,” said Great Bend coach Tim Brooks. “It gave us a ton of momentum.”
The Panthers outscored the Redskins 34-21 in the second half by holding Liberal to four second-half field goals. Miller, Sam Ryan and Marcus Schmeidler drew offensive fouls.
“We ran a defense we had not run before,” Brooks said. “We mixed things up and did a good job communicating.”
Point guard Sam Ryan played his best game of the season with a career high 16 points and a key 3-pointer and assist to Schmeidler for a 34-28 lead after three quarters. The assist inspired Schmeidler for an eight-point second half. Ty Esfeld scored six of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Ryan played extra minutes when leading scorer Alex Schremmer and starter Koy Brack missed the trip because of illness. In two of the Panthers’ three wins, Ryan has played his best basketball. The Panthers had lost 11 of the past 12 games.
“Sam Ryan has played really good basketball,” Brooks said. “He gives us everything he has. Guys had to step up tonight. We played really good basketball.”
Liberal (5-9, 0-4 WAC) was paced by Tristen Bigham with 12 points and Cameron Riley with 10 points. Liberal made four of 18 field goals after halftime.
“This feels good and the kids deserve it,” Brooks said. “It’s good they can reap some rewards. They’ve played hard and practiced hard.”
The Panthers’ five-game road trip continues Tuesday at perennial powerhouse 4A McPherson, which features the state’s premier homecourt advantage.

GREAT BEND 53, LIBERAL 43
GB 9 10 15 19 – 53
Liberal 15 7 6 15 – 43
GREAT BEND (3-11)—Sam Ryan 4 6-8 16, Esfeld 4 5-7 14, Schmeidler 4 0-0 8, Blessing 2 0-1 5, Miller 3 0-0 6, Steueder 1 2-2 4, 18-45 13-17 53.
LIBERAL (6-9)—Bigham 12, Riley 10, Vongsakda 9, Hatcher 7, Mendoza 4, Hyde 2, Totals 12-46 16-21 43.

WESTERN ATHLETIC BOYS

Hays High...... 4-0.... 10-5

Garden City... 3-1.... 9-6

Dodge City.... 2-2.... 7-7

Great Bend.... 1-3.... 3-11

Liberal........... 0-4.... 5-9

FRIDAY

Great Bend 53, Liberal 43

Hays High 83, Dodge City 63

Garden City 54, Guymon, Okla. 42