FIRST-HALF SURGE LIFTS NO. 19 DRAGONS TO WIN OVER DODGE CITY

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Valentino Simon posted a double-double to lead six players scoring in double figures as the No. 19-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team opened the second half of the Jayhawk Conference season with a 35-point victory on Wednesday.

The Blue Dragons dominated the final 10 minutes of the first half against Dodge City to open a 26-point halftime lead and cruised to a 107-72 victory over the Conquistadors at the Sports Arena.

The Dragons improved to 16-3 overall and 11-2 in the Jayhawk Conference and completed a season sweep of Dodge City. The Blue Dragons have their second KJCCC bye on Saturday and return to action next Wednesday at Colby. Dodge City fell to 7-12, 5-8 in the KJCCC.

The Blue Dragons never trailed in the game, but led only 23-22 with 9:26 remaining in the first half. Kernan Bundy's jumper with 8:26 to play sparked a 9-0 Dragon run to build a 10-point lead.

That run ballooned into a 32-7 run over the remainder of the first half as the Blue Dragons shot 64.3 percent in the first half to build a 55-29 lead at halftime. The Dragons held Dodge City to no field goals and five free throws over the final 5:40 of the quarter and just one field goal in the final 9:26 of the period. J.P. Ricks had 16 points in the first half.

Simon rebounding from a tough shooting game against Garden City on Saturday with his fifth double-double of the season. Simon hit 9 of 10 shots, including a pair of 3-pointers to finish with a team-high 22 points and matching a season-high 13 rebounds. Simon also had a season-high five assists.

Ricks had a career-high four 3-pointers and finished with 18 points and seven assists.

Dre Weathers had a perfect night from the floor, going 8 of 8 for 17 points and six rebounds. Bundy finished with 12 points, Kobe Smith had 11 points and Edwin Daniel tied a career high with 10 points.

The Blue Dragons tied a season high with 57.6 percent overall shooting (38 of 66). The Dragons hit 9 of 21 3-pointers and were 22 of 27 from the foul line. The Dragons out-rebounded Dodge City 40-29.

Chevalier Emery had 23 points to lead Dodge City. Marius Canery had 12 points and Tyler Williams had 12 points for the Conquistadors. Dodge City shot 38.9 percent from the floor, hitting 6 of 21 from 3-point range and 24 of 31 from the free-throw line. Dodge City had 25 turnovers.

The Dragons jumped out quick with a 7-0 lead and then used an 8-0 run to lead 15-5 after two Daniel free throws with 14:13 to play. Dodge City pulled within two points three times and cut the lead to 23-22 with 9:26 to play after Canery hit 1 of 2 free throws.

Bundy scored on the next possession and started the Dragons' initial 9-0 run that eventually led to a 32-7 run. Leading 32-24, Landon Wagler's 3-pointer with 5:40 to play pushed the Dragon led to double figures for the remainder of the game. Wagler's trey started an 8-0 run that helped Hutchinson build a 40-24 lead after a Daniel bucket. Bundy's layup capped a 7-0 run for a 47-26 lead with 1:54 left. The Dragons scored the final six points to lead 55-29 at halftime.

The Blue Dragons pushed the lead to 30 points for the first half on a Weathers' dunk following an offensive rebounds gave Hutchinson a 66-35 lead with 16:19 remaining in the game. The Dragons' largest lead of the game with 40 points on a Daniel layup with 10:26 left gave the Dragons an 84-44 lead.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are now 126-68 all-time vs. Dodge City, 60-28 in games played in Hutchinson. … The Dragons earned all-time win No. 1,910. … This was Valentino Simon's third 20-point game this season and 22nd career double-double. … The Dragons had a season high 26 assists. … The Dragons are 10-2 in the Sports Arena this season. … This was the ninth game this season that the Blue Dragons had at least five players score in double figures. … J.P. Ricks had his fourth game of seven or more assists. … This was Hutchinson's sixth 100-point game this season.