Bigham’s Big Night Not Enough Against Red Demons

Tristan Bigham tried to will his teams’ way to a WAC victory on Friday night.  But his 27 points weren’t enough as Liberal committed 24 turnovers in a 76-68 loss to the Dodge City Red Demons in front of a big crowd in the Big House.  It was Dodge City’s first win in Liberal since 2014.

The Redskins came out hot leading 19-11 and 21-13 but led 24-21 after one.  LHS led 35-29 but the Demons raced into the locker room with a 38-37 lead.  Liberal re-claimed the lead 52-51 after three.  LHS fought foul trouble all night and leading scorer Cameron Riley fouled out.  So the Redskins trailed 68-60 with 2:34 to play.  But after a Bigham lay-up and Dodge City intentional foul, the Redskins quickly gained six points in 17 seconds to pull within two with the ball.  But fittingly, the Redskins turned it over.  The Skins trailed 69-68 with two free throws but missed them both.  LHS still had a chance as Dodge struggled at the line.  The Redskins had the ball trailing 70-68 with 45 seconds left but missed an open three point attempt.  Liberal was then called for a foul as the ball was going out of bounds and then called for a technical foul from a player resulting in four free throws and the ball.  Dodge City made all six free throws in that spot to put the game away.

Bigham scored 27 points to lead the Redskins.  That’s the most a Liberal player has scored in a game in two years.  Syris Dunlap had 12.  Liberal is 3-6 and 0-3 in the WAC.  Dodge City is 4-3 and 1-0 in the WAC.  Dodge City plays at Guymon Saturday afternoon.  The Redskins begin play in the Salina Invitational Thursday at 4:45 against Buhler on 1270 and kscbnews.net.