Women’s Basketball Set to Host No. 3 Dodge City, Travel to Cloud

The Colby Trojans women's basketball team enters a critical stretch of KJCCC conference play this week, beginning with a marquee home matchup against No. 3 Dodge City Community College on Wednesday (Feb. 4), before heading to Cloud County for a road battle on Saturday (Feb. 7).

Colby comes into the week playing some of its best basketball of the season, fresh off a thrilling road victory at Cowley College. The Trojans outscored the Tigers 24–13 in the fourth quarter to seal the win, powered by a standout performance from Amisha Russell, who poured in 22 points and knocked down six three-pointers.

Defensively, Colby has been among the best teams in the conference, holding opponents to just 57.5 points per game, the fifth-lowest average in the KJCCC. That defensive consistency has kept the Trojans competitive night after night and will be tested heavily this week.

Offensively, Dessirae Ulmer leads the way for Colby, averaging 13.5 points per game while also pacing the team on the glass with 7.3 rebounds per contest. Freshman Olivia Hultgren has emerged as a key scoring threat alongside Ulmer, averaging 10.6 points per game while leading the team in three-pointers made at 2.2 per game. Sophomore point guard Amisha Russell serves as the engine of the offense, leading the Trojans with 3.5 assists per game, while Hultgren follows closely behind at 2.1 assists per contest.

Wednesday's matchup presents one of the toughest challenges of the season, as No. 3 Dodge City enters with a 19–1 overall record and a 14–1 mark in conference play. The Conquistadors' lone loss came at Butler in El Dorado, and they have established themselves as one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the country.

Dodge City leads the nation in three-pointers made per game at 12 and ranks fifth nationally in three-point percentage, shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc. The Trojans will need to be sharp defensively on the perimeter to limit open looks and control tempo.

Despite Dodge City's offensive firepower, Colby found success in the first meeting between the two teams, holding the Conquistadors to 64 points, their second-lowest scoring output of the season. That defensive performance provides a blueprint as the Trojans look to defend home court at the Event Center.

The Conquistadors are led by a trio of sophomores, headlined by Manuela Piljevic, who averages 13.0 points per game and leads the team with 6.3 rebounds. Jolie Mant adds another perimeter threat, averaging 11.8 points per game while attempting more than eight three-pointers per contest and converting three per game. 

Following Tuesday's home showdown, the Trojans will turn their attention to a challenging road contest at Cloud County on Saturday. The Thunderbirds enter the week at 9–12 (5–11 KJCCC) and are coming off a narrow 74–68 loss to No. 3 Dodge City.

Colby earned a convincing win over Cloud County in the first meeting, holding the Thunderbirds to just 48 points at the Event Center. However, Cloud County has shown it can be dangerous, particularly on the glass and in transition.

The Thunderbirds are led by Camiah Muldrow, who averages 18.8 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the field. Cloud County also rebounds at a high level, with three players averaging more than five rebounds per game.

With the Trojans currently tied for sixth place in the conference standings alongside Seward County, this week carries significant postseason implications. A win against Dodge City would mark a statement victory and could shift momentum in the KJCCC race, while a road win at Cloud County would further solidify Colby's position in the standings.