BLUE DRAGONS TOPPLE BLUE DEVILS AT ARENA

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College Men's Basketball team had a nice response to Saturday's second loss of the season.

The No. 12-ranked Blue Dragons scored the game's first 12 points and never let the Kansas City Blue Devils cut the lead to single figures after that as Hutchinson rolled to a 98-67 victory in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons improve to 13-2 overall heading into Saturday's Jayhawk Conference road test at No. 20 Cowley in Arkansas City. Kansas City falls to 5-10 after its first game back from the holiday break.

Hutchinson head coach Steve Eck, the Blue Dragons' career coaching wins' leader, moved within one victory of becoming the sixth coach in Jayhawk Conference history with 300 wins with one program.

Majok Kuath's jumper with 15:15 to play in the first half gave Hutchinson a 12-0 lead. The lead jumped to 23-4 after a D.J. Mitchell transition layup with 12:40 remaining in the half. Kansas City's first points of the game were free throws from Jalen Davis. The Blue Devils missed their first 14 shots attempts before Robert Rhodes connected with 13:14 to go in the half.

The Blue Dragons shot a blistering 58.1 percent (18 of 31) in the first half, going 6 of 10 from 3-point range to lead 51-29 at halftime. Kansas City was limited to 9 of 36 shooting in the first 20 minutes.

Hutchinson shot better than 50 percent for the first time in four games making 37 of 68 overall shot attempts (54.4 percent). The Dragons hit 9 of 19 from 3-point range and were 15 of 19 from the free-throw line.

The Blue Dragons returned to a balanced scoring effort with four players in double figures.

Sophomore Saquan Singleton finished with 18 points on a career-best eight made field goals on 10 attempts. Singleton also had a big all-around game with seven assists, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.

Sophomore Tyler Brown snapped a 2-of-19 slump from long range by hitting 4 of 6 3-pointers to finished with 18 points and five rebounds.

Kuath flirted with a second-straight double-double, closing with 15 points on 7 of 9 shooting to go with nine rebounds and a career-best five assists.

Freshman Frankyn Batista scored a career-high 10 points off the bench, adding five rebounds. Josh Ursery came off the bench to score eight points with a pair of 3-pointers. Fred Odhiambo had six points and seven rebounds.

The Blue Dragons had 26 assists on 37 made baskets. Freshman Clarence King dished out a career-high eight assists to lead Hutchinson.

The Blue Dragons had a 52-32 rebounding advantage.

Deron McDaniel hit 5 of 10 3-pointers and led Kansas City with 22 points. Ezekiel Lopes and Jalen Davis had nine points each.

The Blue Devils finished shooting 30.4 percent (21 of 69), hitting 11 of 38 from 3-point range and 14 o 18 from the foul line. The Blue Devils had 16 turnovers and forced 19 Blue Dragon miscues.

Hutchinson outscored Kansas City 54-12 in the paint.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are 16-5 all-time against Kansas City. … The 26 assists were second most this season for Hutch CC. … Hutch tied a season high with six blocked shots. … Saquan Singleton had his sixth game of seven or more assists. … Kansas City is the sixth opponent to have 10 or more 3-points against the Blue Dragons this season.