Ulmer Erupts for 33 as Trojans Upset No. 3 Dodge City at Home

COLBY, Kan. - Behind a dominant performance from Dessirae Ulmer, the Colby Trojans women's basketball team delivered a program-defining victory Wednesday (Feb. 4) night, upsetting No. 3 Dodge City at the Colby Event Center. The Conquistadors entered the matchup with just one loss on the season, making the win one of the most significant in Colby women's basketball history.

Ulmer set the tone immediately, opening the game with the Trojans' first four points on a perfect 2-for-2 start from the floor. Piri Lewis followed by getting Colby on the board again to help the Trojans build early momentum. Dodge City responded with a three from Savi Mi, but Ulmer answered right back, knocking down three more buckets to swing the lead in Colby's favor.

Easha Potts added to the surge with a strong putback off a miss, extending the Trojans' advantage against the nationally ranked Conquistadors and forcing an early Dodge City timeout. The break did little to slow Colby, as Lewis scored on back-to-back possessions to close the first quarter with the Trojans holding a 20–13 lead.

The second quarter slowed offensively for both teams, with defense taking center stage. Dodge City's Jolie Mantz opened the scoring with a three, but Colby stayed composed. Amisha Russell drilled a timely three-pointer later in the quarter to stretch the lead to eight, and the Trojans went into halftime up six, maintaining control against one of the nation's top teams.

Ulmer continued her scoring frenzy in the third quarter, knocking down just her second three-pointer of the season. Jera Kruleski followed with a three of her own as Colby pushed the lead into double figures. Ulmer then went back to work inside, scoring on two straight possessions, both assisted by Lewis. As free throws mounted for both teams, Colby maintained its composure and entered the fourth quarter holding a 12-point advantage.

Dodge City made a push early in the final period. Ashley Lee connected from beyond the arc, followed by a basket from Manuela Piljevic to cut into the lead. After Lewis split a pair of free throws, Piljevic scored again to trim the margin.

Following a Colby timeout, Russell delivered one of the biggest shots of the night, burying a three to push the Trojans' lead back to 12 with just under five minutes remaining. Dodge City answered with a three from Mantz and quick buckets from Savi Mi and Charlie Melksham, cutting the Colby lead to six.

At the free-throw line, the Trojans came up big. Kruleski knocked down both of her attempts with just over two minutes remaining to rebuild an eight-point cushion. Lewis later split another trip to the line to make it nine, but Dodge City answered with two quick scores to cut the deficit to five.

In the closing moments, Ulmer delivered the dagger, scoring again down low after a Dodge City timeout. Piljevic answered with a pull-up three, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome as Colby closed out the upset.

Ulmer finished with a career-high 33 points in 37 minutes, shooting 13-of-19 from the field, while adding 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Her performance powered Colby to one of its most impressive wins in program history. 

With the victory, the Trojans moved into a tie for fifth place in the KJCCC standings with Seward County, sitting just behind Coffeyville. Colby and Coffeyville are set to meet Saturday (Feb. 14), at the Event Center in a matchup with major conference and postseason implications. Before then, they will hit the road to Cloud County for a road game Saturday (Feb. 7).