By the Salina Journal

DODGE CITY -- As far as comebacks go, this one nearly became legendary.

Down by as many as 22 points early in the second half of their regular season finale Sunday against the Dodge City Legend, the Kansas Cagerz almost pulled off the impossible before falling 97-96 at the Civic Center.

With 10.5 seconds remaining in the game, Kansas point guard Nate Johnson sank a 3-pointer that pulled the Cagerz within a score at 95-93.

Johnson then deflected Dodge City's ensuing inbound into the hands of teammate Anthony Richardson, who looked to find Johnson down-court. But his pass was beyond Johnson's reach and went out of bounds.

After Dodge City's Lincoln Glass hit a pair of free throws to make it a two-possession game, Cleotis Brown hit a desperation 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left to get the Cagerz within a point.

Kansas then tried to foul Dodge's Elvin Mims, but couldn't before time expired.

The Cagerz finished the regular season below the .500 mark (14-15) for the first time in nine seasons in Salina. Meanwhile, Dodge City improved its league-leading record to 20-7.

Kansas will now turn its attention to the USBL Postseason Festival in Enid, Okla. The Cagerz will play Gary, Ind., twice -- at 5:30 p.m., on both Friday and Saturday. The Cagerz-Steelheads pool winner will meet the winner of the Oklahoma/Dodge City/Brooklyn pool to determine the postseason champion.

The Legend wrap up their regular season today against Oklahoma.

"We had about seven guys that left everything on the court," said Kansas coach Francis Flax about Sunday's game against Dodge City. "Unfortunately, we put ourselves in too big of a hole."

Kansas appeared in good shape when it scored the first eight points of the contest, including a 3-pointer from Johnson and Richardson, who finished with a game-high 26 points.

But Dodge City would quickly take control of the contest, ending the first quarter on a 14-7 run to lead 28-21. Legend forward Chris Sockwell scored 10 of his 26 points in the opening period.

Dodge City continued to dominate in the second quarter, outscoring Kansas 29-17. The Legend's advantage was 19 points, 57-38, at intermission.

A free throw by Chris Lubeck three minutes into the third quarter gave Dodge City its biggest lead of the game at 62-40. Thanks to nine points by Richardson, Kansas was able to claw back to within 17 (75-58) going into the fourth.

Kansas' fourth-quarter rally started when Brown scored seven of the period's first nine points. A three-point play a few minutes later by Lee Benson got the Cagerz within 10 points at 86-76.

Deep 3-pointer by Richardson and Anthony Johnson made it a 90-85 contest with just under three minutes to play. Scores by Sockwell continued to keep Kansas at arm's length before Nate Johnson's late 3 got the Cagerz within a deuce.

"We were able to get some stops on defense, and on (Richardson's steal) we got the pass a little out in front (of Nate Johnson)," Flax said. "I think this could spark us a little bit."

After going just 11 of 35 from the field in the first half, Kansas was 22 of 39 in quarters three and four. Brown added 13 points for the Cagerz, while Anthony Johnson added 11.