DEFENSIVE EFFORT POWERS DRAGONS INTO FIRST PLACE

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

LIBERAL – The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team held Seward County to less than 30 percent shooting and found itself alone in first place Saturday night.

After a slow offensive start of their own, the Blue Dragons placed four players in double figures and Matt Mayers posted his seventh double-double as Hutchinson defeated Seward County 73-56 on Saturday night at The Green House.

The Blue Dragons won their third-straight game and improved to 8-3 overall and 7-3 in the Jayhawk West. Hutchinson's win combined with Dodge City's loss to Garden City on Saturday, puts the Blue Dragons into sole possession of first place in the Jayhawk West.

Hutchinson held an opponent to less than 30-percent shooting for the second-straight game and for the third time this season. The Dragons limited an opponent to less than 70 points for the fifth time this season.

Seward County was held to 28.8 percent shooting (19 of 66) overall and just 4 of 23 from 3-point range, a season low 3-point total for a Blue Dragon opponent this season. The Saints had 15 turnovers.

The Blue Dragons held Seward County to just four points over the first 8 minutes of the game. Hutchinson led 32-23 at halftime, holding the Saints to 23.5 percent from the field.

The Dragons shot 51.7 percent in the second half and outscored Seward County 41-33 in the second half.

Freshman Bryant Selebangue came off the bench to lead the Blue Dragons with 16 points and nine rebounds. Selebangue shot 7 of 10 from the field.

Mayers had his fifth-straight double-double and seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Majok Kuath finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Chris Robinson finished with 10 points and four rebounds.

The Blue Dragons shot 45.5 percent (26 of 55), going 4 of 16 from 3-point range and 19 of 30 from the free-throw line. The Blue Dragons out-rebounded Seward County 42-37. Hutchinson had to overcome 23 turnovers.

Stephen Tayki led Seward County with 13 points off the bench. Erik Pratt finished with 10 points.

Isaiah Bujdoso hit a 3-pointer with 13:54 left in the first half and gave the Dragons a 9-2 lead. The Saints scored the next four points to cut the deficit to 9-6. Okon countered with a 3-pointer at the 12:57 mark helped Hutchinson slowly take control of the game from that point.

Hutchinson then held Seward County scoreless for the next four minutes. Donovan Taylor nailed a 3-pointer with 7:14 left gave the Dragons a 23-10 lead. The Blue Dragons maintained a double-figure lead until the 38-second mark of the first half when Sillah Ahamadoe made 1 of 2 free throws to cut the Dragon lead to 32-23 at halftime.

Hutchinson's lead fluctuated from 9 to 12 points over the first 10 minutes of the second half. Robinson scored at the 9:37 mark to give the Blue Dragons a 51-37 lead. Bujdoso hit a 3-pointer with 7:27 left for a 57-41 lead. The closest Seward County got after that was 16 points.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are now 3-2 in road games this season. … Hutchinson has held all 11 opponents in 2021 to less than 50 percent shooting. … Seward County's four 3-point goals tied a Blue Dragon opponent season low this season. … Bryant Selebangue is the fifth different Blue Dragon to lead the team in scoring in a game this season.