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By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net

WICHITA -- It was a tale of two halves for Arkansas City -- and how the outcome could've been different if the Bulldogs displayed the same defensive intensity in the first half as they did in the second half.

After Campus stormed out of the gates to build a 16-point halftime lead, Ark City clamped up on the defensive end and came within a single possession late in the game.

The deficit was a little too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. Eric Reiger sank all four free throws in the final minute, finishing with a game-high 16 points and Tre' Doherty added 15 to allow Campus to escape with a 52-46 win over Ark City on Tuesday night.

"I think the biggest thing was that Campus played well," Ark City coach Ben Proctor said. "We didn't do a lot of things well, defensively."

The Colts came out on fire, taking advantage of Ark City's 2-3 zone defense to knock down three of their five three-pointers in the first quarter.

Ark City didn't rotate in time to catch up to Campus' shooters, leaving the Colts wide-open for numerous jumpers.

And Campus made the Bulldogs pay.

CJ Manuel buried a three-pointer from the right corner to open the scoring, and was subsequently fouled by John Miller.

After Ryan Rohrs hit a three-pointer of his own to open the scoring for the Bulldogs, Doherty and Drake Reinhard each buried treys of their own to allow the Colts to gain a 13-7 lead after the first quarter. Doherty scored seven of his points in the first quarter.

"We didn't play our rules well," Proctor said. "We got lazy and missed some things. They made us pay. It seemed like every time they were open, they hit their shots."

The teams combined for seven three-pointers in the first half.

Campus (2-15) continued its torrid shooting in the second quarter, closing out the first half on a 13-2 run. Channing Tate attacked the lane and made a left-handed floater, while being fouled by Darrell Freeman, with 6.2 seconds remaining in the half. Tate finished off the three-point play for a 30-14 Campus lead at intermission.

"They whipped us in the first half," Proctor said.

Ark City's offense never really got on track in the first half. It settled for quick, off-balance shots instead of making the extra pass to set up easier shots.

Freeman finally got the Bulldogs (8-9) to within single digits on a three-pointer with 6:43 remaining in the first half, but Campus responded with a big run to build a 16-point halftime lead.

The Colts appeared they were going to run away with the game early in the second half. Manuel converted a three-point play in the opening minute of the third quarter to give Campus its largest lead, 33-16.

But the Bulldogs finally go their act together on the defensive end, which allowed them to gradually chip away at Campus' lead. Good free-throw shooting allowed Ark City to come within two possessions.

Kestian Harris and Tayler Rock each hit a pair of free throws to cut the Colts' lead to 35-28 heading into the final quarter.

John Miller made six-of-eight foul attempts in the fourth quarter.

"Our emphasis was to get the ball inside in the second half," Proctor said. "John did a good job of getting his guy sealed. He gave us a chance."

Overall, the Bulldogs made nine-of-12 free throws in the fourth.

Jordan Fields and Miller twice brought Ark City to within three points in the last 1 1/2 minutes -- Fields on a three-pointer and Harris with a layup, which cut Campus' lead to 47-44 with 1:06 remaining.

Fields finished with 11 points. Rock nearly finished with a double-double, recording nine points and 11 rebounds.

Ark City couldn't close the gap any further. Regier and Doherty combined to make 5 of 6 free throws in the final 41 seconds to give the Colts only their second win on the season.

Ark City 7 7 14 18 -- 52
Campus 13 17 5 17 -- 46

Ark City -- Miller 12, Fields 11, Rock 9, Harris 6, Freeman 5, Rohrs 3.
Campus -- Regier 16, Doherty 15, Manuel 6, Tate 4, Hyde 4, Darbyshire 4, Reinhard 3.