DRAGONS MEET RIVAL COUGARS SATURDAY AT ARENA

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

From one rivalry game to another - that's what the No. 6-ranked Hutchinson Blue Dragons faces when the Barton Cougars come into the Sports Arena on Saturday night.

Two of the three teams that are in a three-way tie for first place in the Jayhawk Conference, the Blue Dragons and Cougars will battle at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and on sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) with Rusty Hilst and Dan Naccarato calling the action at 7:20 p.m. The game will also be streamed live on the Blue Dragon Sports Network at 7:20 p.m.

The Blue Dragons (11-1, 7-1 Jayhawk Conference) won their sixth-straight game after Wednesday's historic 82-81 victory at Butler.

The Blue Dragons orchestrated the largest comeback in program history, rallying from 26 points down in the first half. Hutch still trailed by 22 midway through the second half.

J.J. Rhymes scored a career-high 41 points, getting the final three points on a game-winning buzzer-beater. Rhymes scored 32 points in the second half to power the comeback.

While the Blue Dragons found themselves down by 26 in the first half, the Cougars were at the completely opposite end of the spectrum against Dodge City.

Barton jumped out to a 27-2 lead against Dodge City and was never threatened in a 97-74 victory.

The Blue Dragons, Cougars and Coffeyville are all tied for first place in the Jayhawk Conference with 7-1 records.

Two of the KJCCC's top five scorers are featured tonight. Hutch's Rhymes averages 20.1 points per game. Two-time conference player of the Week Kawanise Wilkins is fifth at 16.8 points per game.

The Blue Dragon Athletic Department will have a special announcement at halftime of Saturday's game.