Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team faces an early-season challenge on Saturday in the final game of a three-game homestand for the No. 14 Blue Dragons.

Hutchinson plays host to Neosho County at 7:30 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in the second KJCCC game of the new season.

The Blue Dragons look to rally from an 88-68 loss to No. 8 Coffeyville on Wednesday. The loss was even more costly that it first appeared. Sophomore Josh Baker was injured just 6 minutes into the game and didn't return. Baker will be out of action for the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Even without their best overall shooter for the final 34 minutes, the Blue Dragons were within striking distance midway through the second half. Trailing just 55-54 after a 10-0 run, but Coffeyville had the final answer, outscoring the Dragons 46-32 in the second half.

Sophomore Matt Mayers had another big game with 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the Dragons. Mayers is Hutch's top scorer and rebounder through two games at 19.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Sophomore Isaiah Bujdoso had 10 points and a career-high eight assists.

Neosho County (2-1, 0-1) dropped a 99-88 decision to Dodge City in its conference opener on Wednesday in Chanute. The Panthers opened the season with two blowout wins over a pair of KCAC junior varsity teams.

The Panthers are fourth in the KJCCC in scoring offense at 103 points per game. They are shooting 49.4 percent through their first three games and are averaging a league-best 14.0 made 3-pointers per game.

The Panthers own the fifth-best defense in the league at 68.7 points allowed per contest.

Five players average in double figures for the Panthers led by Deondre Buggage at 17.0 points per game. De'Antrey Hughes averages 15.7 points per game.

Hutchinson has won seven in a row against the Panthers, winning last year's game 101-78 at the Sports Arena. The Blue Dragons own a 42-5 all-time series record over Neosho County.