Reyna Gonzalez works her way to the goal against a Garden City defender Tuesday night in The Big House. Gonzalez has been a force off the bench for the Lady Redskins, contributing points as well as defense, and she helped the Lady redskins earn a 56-36 win over the Lady Buffaloes. L&T photo/Earl Watt

By EARL WATT

• Leader & Times

Whenever the Lady Redskins pushed the ball inside, Machia Mullens and Jada Mickens were either making baskets or taking free throws Friday night against the Garden City Lady Buffaloes. The combination of points led to a 56-36 rout of Garden City to push the Lady Redskins to 7-1 overall, 2-0 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Not only was Mullens and Mickens dominating the paint, but they also had options outside, kicking the ball to Laci Rush who knocked down a three pointer and then cut to the bucket to score 11 points in the first half.

Ali Lucero, Audrey Gilmore and Whitney Hay also each hit a three, and even Mickens pulled up from outside and drained a trey in the fourth quarter.

Garden City found themselves in foul trouble trying to guard the taller Mullens who was penetrating the lane and getting sent to the free throw line. Mullens only made tow baskets, but she added nine free throws on 14 attempts to lead the Lady Redskins with 13 points.

Mickens was one point behind with 12 including a perfect five for five from the free throw line, and Rush reached double figures with 11, all in the first half.

“Our kids did a good job on the offensive end of executing the game plan,” Liberal coach Carter Kruger said. “We were getting the ball inside out and getting to the free throw line.”

Kruger took full advantage of his team’s size, and it led to the blowout win. 

“We have a great advantage inside,” Kruger said. “If we go inside, that makes teams pack it in the lane, and we have kids that can knock it down from the perimeter too. We try to put it inside, then try to run away from there.”

Liberal will try to go 3-0 in the WAC Friday at Dodge City against the two-time defending conference champs.