BALANCED ATTACK POWERS DRAGONS PAST COLBY

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Six players scored in double figures and the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team shot better than 50 percent for the fifth time this season as the No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons overpowered Colby 89-65 on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons captured their fourth victory in a row and moved to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the Jayhawk Conference. Hutch's win combined with Allen's victory over Barton on Wednesday means the Blue Dragons move into a three-way tie for first plays in the league with the Cougars and Coffeyville. Colby falls to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the league.

Wednesday's victory over the Trojans improved Hutchinson's record over Colby in games played in the Sports Arena to 25-1.

Hutchinson used a 14-0 run early in the game to take charge. When Devonte Bandoo hit a 3-pointer with 14:35 to play in the opening half, the Dragons led 16-4. Colby went scoreless for 4 minutes, 56 seconds during that juncture. The Blue Dragons wound up hitting 19 of 34 shots in the opening half (55.9 percent), including three 3-pointers to build a 49-25 halftime lead. The Trojans were limited to 8 of 31 shooting (25.8 percent) in the opening 20 minutes.

The Blue Dragons were balanced offensively with six players scored in double figures.

Freshman James Rojas came off the bench to lead the Blue Dragons in scoring with 14 points on 5 of 10 shooting with five rebounds and two steals. Rojas scored eight points in the first half.

Sophomores J.J. Rhymes and Bandoo scored 13 points each. Freshman Curtis Hollis had 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting and 11 boards. Sophomores Tiylar Cotton and Sal Nuhu scored 10 points each. Rheaquone Taylor and Rob Whitfield had nine points each.

The Blue Dragons finished shooting 51.6 percent overall (32 of 62), going 6 of 14 from 3-point range and 19 of 25 from the free-throw line. The Dragons had a 43-37 rebounding advantage. Taylor had a team-high eight rebounds.

Colby improved to 35.8 percent shooting for the game (24 of 67), going 4 of 16 from 3-point range and 13 of 20 from the free-throw line. The Trojans committed 20 turnovers.

Quintavius Eagle scored 14 points to lead the Trojans.

The Blue Dragons were down 4-2 when Whitfield's layup tied the game and sparked Hutch's 14-0 run. When Bandoo nailed his only 3-pointer of the game, the Dragons led 16-4 with 14:35 remaining in the half. The Trojans cut their deficit to nine on two occasions, but the Dragons answered each challenge.

Leading 24-13, the Dragons surged again with eight unanswered points. Hollis' 3-pointer with 8:24 left in the half capped the run and gave Hutchinson a 32-13 lead.

Hutch's lead reached 20 points for the first time at 45-24 on a Rojas transition dunk with 1:48 to go. It went to 23 at 47-24 on a Hollis tip-in with 1:12 remaining. The Dragons to a 49-25 lead at halftime as Taylor scored at the buzzer.

Colby scored the first six points of the second half to cut the Dragon lead to 18. Rhymes hit on a slashing move to the hoop to stop that run and a few minutes later went on a 13-2 run to take a 69-39 lead after a Whitfield 3-pointer with 13:06 to play.

The Dragons built 29-point leads four different times in the second half.

Hutchinson and Colby battled to a 40-40 draw in the second half. Hutch shot 46.4 percent (13 of 28) and Colby was 16 of 36 (44.4 percent).

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are now 47-4 all-time against Colby, defeating the Trojans for the 12th consecutive time. … The Dragons had a season-high 10 blocked shots. … The Dragons had 10 steals, which marks the seventh time this season they have reached double figures in steals. … The Dragons have had five or more 3-pointers in three-straight games. … The Dragons have out-rebounded 8 of 9 opponents this season.