Broncos suffer first loss to Colfax, 50-45

The LRS Broncos were handed their first loss of the season Tuesday when the Colfax Bulldogs capitalized on Dylan Hartz’s ankle injury at the end of the first quarter.

The Bulldogs captured a 50-45 win in the league battle, after trailing 16-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Colfax took the lead at the half, but the Broncos continued to battle, staying close in the later minutes of the game.

Despite rolling his ankle, Hartz led the team with 12 points. Colby Starring scored 10 and Ryan Whitmore added nine points.

The loss comes after the Broncos opned with a 5-0 overall record and 4-0 in league play.

Last weekend they defeated Liberty and Springdale in games played out in the Gilson Gym.

Friday, the Broncos posted a 64-56 win. The final score was a bit deceiving as the team controlled the scoreboard most of the game, but allowed Liberty to enjoy a solid comeback attempt.

Hartz scored 22 points in the game, supported by 10 from Whitmore, eight from Starring and seven from Connor O’Neill.

Hartz hit a key three-pointer as time ran out in the third quarter to tie the game. When the fourth period began, Starring hit two threes and Bridger Smith added a short jumper to give the Broncos control of the game.

Saturday the Broncos trampled Springdale, 57-28, running away with the game from the start. The defense was relentless, and prevented Springdale from scoring at all in the third quarter.

Whitmore led the team with 13 points. Cort Ruzicka delivered 10 points while Hartz and O’Neill each had eight. Starring added seven points and Tyler Frederick scored six.

During the school’s Christmas vacation the Broncos will play in four nonleague outings against Odessa-Harrington, Warden and twice against St. John-Endicott.