NO. 11 DRAGONS ROLL TO 14TH CONSECUTIVE WIN

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Freshman Kiki Smith scored 19 of her game-high 25 points in the first half as the No. 11-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team extended its season-opening winning streak to 14 games on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

Smith's fourth game of 25 or more points this season powered the Blue Dragons to a 92-44 Jayhawk Conference victory over Northwest Tech.

Now 14-0 to start the season, the Blue Dragons (8-0 in the KJCCC) tied the 2001-02 Blue Dragons for the eighth-best start in program history. Hutchinson plays host to Seward County at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Sports Arena. Northwest Tech fell to 1-11 overall and 0-8 in league play.

Smith hit 9 of 15 overall shots and tied a season high with four 3-pointers on nine attempts to lead the Blue Dragons, who surpassed the 90-point mark for the first time since scoring 92 against Pratt on December 2. The freshman guard hit 7 of 10 shots, including three 3-pointers, in a 19-point first half that helped Hutchinson build a 48-21 halftime lead. Smith added three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Hailey Jackson finished with 12 points and eight rebound. Jackson hit 6 of 8 shots. Madi Denison came off the bench to become the third Blue Dragon to score in double figures with 12 points on 5 of 9 shooting. Denison added seven rebounds.

Monae Duffy had eight points and nine rebounds. Akaysha Muggeridge scored eight points and blocked a season-high two shots. Bree Horyna had eight points, eight rebounds and a career-high three steals. Kahlen Norris also scored eight points with a season-high four field goals.

The Blue Dragons shot 46.7 percent overall (35 of 37), hitting 8 of 27 from 3-point range and 14 of 20 from the free-throw line. The Blue Dragons out-rebounded Northwest Tech 50-37.

Serena Lee had 17 points to lead the Mavericks, who lost their ninth-straight game. Sy Crowley had nine points. The Mavericks were held to 22.6 percent shooting (14 of 62), going 6 of 34 from 3-point range and 10 of 12 from the foul line. The Mavericks turned the ball over 27 times, which led to a 31-7 advantage in points off turnovers for the Blue Dragons.

The Blue Dragons started the game on a 10-0 run over the first 4:08 of the game. Leading 13-8, the Dragons tacked on a quick 8-0 run that was capped by two Denison free throws for a 21-9 lead with 2:13 to play. Hutchinson extended that run to 12-2 and led 25-10 after a Horyna transition layup with 1:21 to play. The Dragons shot 52.9 percent in the first quarter and led 27-15 after 10 minutes.

The Blue Dragons dominated the second quarter, outscoring Northwest Tech 21-6 – the six points allowed tied for the second fewest allowed by Hutchinson this season. The Blue Dragons led 31-17 and buried the Mavericks with a 13-0 run and held Tech scoreless for 5 minutes, 26 seconds. Duffy capped that run with a point-blank bucket with 2:48 left for a 44-17 lead. The Dragons led 48-21 at halftime.

The Blue Dragons' largest lead was the final margin of 48 points as Hutchinson closed the game with an 18-6 run over the final 7:18 of the game.

GAME NOTES – Blue Dragon head coach John Ontjes earned his 460th career victory. … The Blue Dragons are now 12-1 all-time against Northwest Tech. … Kiki Smith has scored in double figures and had at least one steal in all 14 games this season. … The Blue Dragons registered their seventh game of 50 or more rebounds and seventh game of 20 or more assists. …. The Dragons held their ninth opponent this season to less than 30 percent shooting. … Hailey Jackson posted her seventh game of eight or more rebounds. … Monae Duffy surpassed the 400 rebound plateau for her career with 405.