DRAGONS REBOUND TO TOP NEOSHO IN BSN SPORTS TIP-OFF CLASSIC

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Four players scored in double figures and the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team's defense got back to its usual stingy form to earn a win on the final night of the BSN Sports Tip-Off Classic on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

The No. 13-ranked Blue Dragons held Neosho County to 25.3 percent shooting and forced 29 turnovers as Hutchinson defeated the Panthers 78-61.

The Blue Dragons (3-1) will now play Murray State and Otero this weekend in the Hutchinson Women's Classic on Friday and Saturday at the Sports Arena. Neosho County is now 1-4.

The Blue Dragon defense was on full display in the second and third quarters. Leading 23-21 after the first quarter, the Dragons held Neosho County to 13 points and 4 of 18 shooting in the second quarter to open a 46-34 lead at halftime.

Hutchinson's defense overwhelmed the Panthers in the third quarter. The Dragons held Neosho to 2 of 22 shooting (9.1 percent) and forced five turnovers in the third quarter as Hutchinson held the Panthers to an opponent season-low six points in a 22-6 quarter to build a 68-40 lead.

Offensively, the Blue Dragons were balanced with freshman KaMyra Barber leading four Dragons scoring in double figures with 15 points. Barber had nine rebounds three steals and two assists.

Sophomore forward Noelle Anthon finished with a career-high-tying 13 points on 6 of 7 shooting with six rebounds.

Freshman point guard Whitney Brown hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with a season-high 13 points to go with four assists and four steals.

Sophomore Katie Duncan had 10 points. Sophomore Dylan Alexander had eight points and six rebounds. Freshmen Jaden Wilson and Kaia Smith scored seven points each.

The Blue Dragons shot 39.4 percent for the game (26 of 66), hitting 6 of 19 from the 3-point line and 20 of 28 from the free-throw line. The Blue Dragons outrebounded Neosho County 54-46 and the Dragons had to overcome 26 turnovers.

Overall, the Panthers shot 19 of 75, including 13 of 42 from 3-point range and 10 of 16 from the foul line.

Azura Clark came off the bench to lead the Panthers with 11 points. No other Neosho County player scored in double figures.

Neosho County had a 13-8 lead with 5:28 to play in the opening quarter. The Dragons outscored NCCC 15-8 over the remainder of the opening quarter. Anthon had six points in the quarter as Hutchinson rallied for a 23-21 lead after 10 minutes.

The Dragons opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run, taking a 31-23 led after Barber hit a floater in the paint with 7:25 remaining in the quarter. Leading 33-29, the Dragons went on an 11-0 run over a stretch of 3 minutes, 50 seconds to lead 44-29 after two Brown free throws with 2:18 to play in the second quarter. The Dragons led 46-34 at halftime.

Hutchinson started the third quarter to build a 20-point lead at 54-34 after a Duncan transition 3 with 8:53 left in the quarter. The Dragons then closed the quarter on a 10-0 run over the final 4:39 to lead 68-40 at the end of the period. Holding Neosho to 2 of 22 shooting, the Dragons were 8 of 15 with three 3-point goals to outscore Neosho 22-6 in the period.

The Dragons built a game-high 32-point led at 75-43 after to Jamya McPherson free throws with 4:31 to play.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons force 29 turnovers in a game for the second time this season. … The Dragons held Neosho County to an opponent season-low 25.3 percent shooting. … The Dragons had a season-high seven blocked shots and 20 steals. … The Dragons are now 30-2 all-time against Neosho County, including 11-consecutive wins.