DRAGONS USE DOMINANT PERFORMANCE TO ROLL BY MAVS

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The No. 21-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team shot nearly 53 percent and held Northwest Tech to a conference-season low offensive output to roll to a 33-point Jayhawk Conference victory on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

Five Blue Dragons scored in double figures as Hutchinson defeated Northwest Tech for the eighth-consecutive game after an 89-56 victory.

Hutchinson improved to 12-2 overall and 7-1 in the Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons play host to Seward County at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Sports Arena. Northwest Tech fell to 5-10 overall and 0-8 in the Jayhawk Conference.

Hutchinson shot 50 percent in the first half and built a 42-31 halftime lead. The Blue Dragons dominated the second half, outshooting the Mavericks 52.4-30.4 percent to outscore Northwest Tech 47-25.

For the game, the Blue Dragons shot 52.4 percent (33 of 63), hitting 8 of 20 from 3-point range and 15 of 22 from the free-throw line.

Kamryn Thomas came off the bench to lead Hutchinson with 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting, including two 3-point goals. Thomas added seven rebounds.

Dre Weathers finished with 13 points and rebounds. Dallas Whitney also had 13 points, hitting 5 of 6 overall shots, going 3 of 3 from 3-point range. Valentino Simon closed with 12 points and Zoe Holman had 11 points with a career-high seven rebounds.

The Blue Dragon defense forced 23 Maverick turnovers, getting 16 by steals. Holman and Whitney had five steals each.

The Blue Dragons outrebounded Northwest Tech 43-25.

Defensively, the Blue Dragons held Northwest Tech 26 points under its 81.0 scoring average. Tech shot 38.3 percent (18 of 47), hitting 6 of 13 3-pointers and 14 of 21 from the foul line. Charles Fofanah had a game-high 22 points to lead Northwest Tech.

The Blue Dragons led 9-8 about 5 1/2 minutes into the game and took charge 15-4 run. Kobe Smith's jumper with 10:06 to play in the half capped the run and gave the Dragons a 24-12 lead. Leading 27-21, the Dragons scored nine unanswered points over a stretch of 1:50 to lead 36-21 after a Holman layup.

The Dragons led 42-31 at halftime.

Holding a 45-35 lead just a minute into the second half, the Blue Dragons scored nine unanswered points and led 54-35 after a J.P. Ricks layup with 16:34 to play. Leading by 17 points, two Simon free throws capped an 8-0 run to help Hutchinson build a 69-44 lead with 11:45 to play in the second half.

The Blue Dragons continued to stretch out the lead through the remainder of the game, building a game-high 36-point lead at 87-51.

GAME NOTES – Landon Wagler made his first career start and had five points and a career-high four rebounds. … The Blue Dragons are now 14-1 all-time against Northwest Tech. … This was all-time win No. 1,906. … The plus-18 rebounding margin was a season high for the Blue Dragons. … The 25 rebounds by Tech were an opponent season low. … The Blue Dragons shot 50 percent for the fourth time this season. … Dallas Whitney scored in double figures for the first time in six games.