By ROB BUSKA

Special to the Telegram

EL DORADO -- The Garden City Community College Lady Broncbusters used speed and heart to stage one of the most impressive comebacks in recent school memory.

Garden City (5-10,1-1) downed Butler Community College 71-69, at the Power Plant in El Dorado on Saturday, and it couldn't have been more welcomed. Just three nights earlier, Garden City was dismantled by 19 points in Colby.

Garden City got a career-high 27 points from freshman Katie Novack. The former Holcomb standout scored 17 in the first half and shot 4-for-4 from 3-point range.

"We needed a win and it's great to get our spirits up and hopefully it leads to more" said Novack.

The Lady Busters trailed 42-30 at halftime as the size of the Grizzlies took over. Four Grizzlies scored in double figures, wit the majority of scoring coming from in the paint.¬ 

Busters' coach Jake Ripple stressed ball movement at the half.

"They were playing zone and we knew we'd have wide open looks in the second half" added Novack.

In the second half, Garden City out hustled Butler and used their speed on the perimeter to open the half on a

26-4 run. The Busters led by as many as 11 with 7:55 remaining. Butler (5-10, 0-2) took the lead with under two minutes to play before the Busters held them scoreless en route to the win.

Novack put on a clinic at the free line, hitting 9-of-10. LaTaish Brown added 11.

Garden City will play its first conference game at home on Wednesday hosting Pratt. The game starts at 6 p.m.