The last four games for the Hays High School boys basketball team had all been within six points, with one of them going into overtime.

Its most recent game at Garden City didn’t change that trend, as the Indians fell at the hands of the Buffaloes in a low-scoring affair Friday night, 39-36.

Senior Cody Bernbeck for Garden City controlled the game and wreaked havoc against the Indians’ defense on his way to a game high of 16 points.

“Cody Bernbeck, all state quarterback and their leading scorer in basketball last year, had not played all season until their last few games, he scored 16 in what was a low scoring game,” Hays High coach Rick Keltner said. “I felt he made the difference.”

The Indians were working hard all night to try to keep Bernbeck from scoring.

“They (Garden City) used a lot of screens to get him open, so we just tried to help off so that he would not get any open looks,” senior guard Chris Schultz said.

Garden City kept the Indians to just 35 percent shooting for the night and held senior Zack Gaughan to 13 points, who is averaging 19.2 points per game this season.

In the fourth quarter, the game was tied at 33 with 2:50 remaining in the game.

With 45 seconds left, Bernbeck hit a two point shot to make the game 37-33. Senior Seth Tophoj then hit a three-pointer with 32 seconds left to make it a one point game. Garden City then held onto the ball until Hays High fouled Bernbeck, who made two free throws to seal the game.

“We played well enough to win in a tough environment, but missed too many free throws and layups,” Keltner said. “We did a lot of good things, but Garden (City) made the last play.”

The next game for Hays High is Thursday in the first round of the Colby Orange & Black Classic against Hugoton.