BLUE DRAGONS TRAVEL TO NO. 5 BUTLER WEDNESDAY

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Facing its second-straight nationally ranked Top 10 opponent in as many games, the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team is on the road Wednesday at Butler.

The Blue Dragons (9-5, 5-3 KJCCC) look to extend a three-game winning streak with a road trip to face the No. 5-ranked Grizzlies (12-2, 7-1) in a 7:30 p.m. KJCCC contest at the Power Plant in El Dorado.

BLUE DRAGON MEN'S BASKETBALL
Hutchinson (9-5, 5-3) at No. 5 Butler (11-2, 7-1)
When: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Where: Power Plant, El Dorado, KS
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: KHUT-FM (102.9); KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5), 7:15 p.m. - Sean Boston (PBP); Daren Dunn (Color)
Video: Butler Creative TV
X: @bluedragonsport
CLICK FOR FULL BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)

Wednesday's game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and on sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 7:15 p.m. with Sean Boston (play-by-play) and Daren Dun (analyst) calling the action. The game will be streamed live and free on Butler Creative TV.

Wednesday's game will be the first time that first-year Blue Dragon head coach Kyle Fisher will be facing the Grizzlies. Fisher was at Butler for five seasons before coming to Hutchinson.

For the second time this season, Fisher and the Blue Dragons will be going against a coach who was on the Blue Dragon staff last season. Butler's first-year head coach is former Hutchinson assistant Eric Nitsche.

The Blue Dragons tied a season high for win streaks at three last Saturday as Hutchinson turned in a stellar defensive effort to defeat No. 6 Cowley 70-62 at the Sports Arena. Hutchinson's defense limited Cowley to just 20 points in the opening half and held Cowley to just 37.3 percent overall shooting.

Sophomore Jaquez Thornton hit 13 of 14 free throws and led the Blue Dragons with 23 points. In eight KJCCC games, Thornton is averaging 19.1 points per game, which is fourth in the KJCCC. Overall, Thornton is fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 17.0 points per game.

The Grizzlies suffered their first conference loss of the seasons on Saturday after dropping a 70-61 decision to Coffeyville in El Dorado. Butler shot 38.9 percent overall, but was stung by 26 turnovers against the Red Ravens. Josiah Kirkwood came off the bench to lead the Grizzlies with 14 points.

Wednesday's meeting will be the 200th all-time game played in series history between Hutchinson and Butler. The Blue Dragons lead the series 129-70.