BLUE DRAGONS, GRIZZLIES TO CLASH FOR 196TH TIME ON SATURDAY
BLUE DRAGON MEN'S BASKETBALL |
Hutchinson at Butler |
| When: Saturday, December 3, 2022 Where: Power Plant, El Dorado Time: 4:00 p.m. Radio: KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5), 3:45 p.m. (Bryce Kessler, PBP) Video: Blue Dragon Sports Network. 3:45 p.m. Twitter: @bluedragonsport CLICK FOR FULL GAME NOTE (PDF Format) |
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team looks to rebound from a two-game losing streak as the Blue Dragons travel to play longtime rival Butler at 4 p.m. Saturday in El Dorado's Power Plant.
The meeting will be the 197th in the two stories programs histories. The Blue Dragons own a 128-67 overall record over Butler. Last season, the Blue Dragons swept the Grizzlies in two meetings. Two years ago, Butler swept the season series against the Blue Dragons.
Hutchinson has dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season, falling to No. 21 Barton 101-75 last Saturday at the Sports Arena and 111-95 on the road Wednesday at Cowley.
The Blue Dragons (8-3, 2-3) continue to lead the Jayhawk Conference and are now No. 2 in the NJCAA in scoring offense at 108.2 points per game.
Blue Dragon redshirt freshman Aaron Franklin leads the nation with 279 points scored and is fifth in the NJCAA in scoring average at 25.4 points per game.
Franklin comes off his fourth 30-point game of the season after scoring 34 points in Hutchinson's loss to Cowley on Wednesday in Arkansas City. Freshman guard Ty Frierson had 23 points with four 3-pointers and Jayden Garrison added 12 points.
After shooting 55.3 percent in the first half, the Blue Dragons went cold in the second half, shooting only 33.3 percent. The Dragons and Tigers were tied at 76, but Cowley outscored the Dragons 35-19 over the final 8 minutes of the game to secure the victory.
Butler enters Saturday's game with an impressive signature and comeback win on Wednesday over No. 11 Coffeyville. The Grizzlies trailed 32-18 at halftime and roared back to outscore the Red Ravens 53-32 in the second half and came away with a 70-64 road victory. Tahjae Hill sparked the comeback with 20 points off the bench for Butler. Isaiah Williams chipped in 12 points. Butler's defense forced 17 Red Raven turnovers.
The 196 games played against Butler represent the most games played by the Blue Dragons against any single opponent. The 128 wins vs. the Grizzlies are the third most against a single opponent. The Blue Dragons own 151 wins over Pratt and 140 victories over Garden City.