DRAGONS DROP TIGHT BATTLE AT NO. 6 DODGE CITY

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

DODGE CITY – Playing without the Jayhawk Conference's leading scorer, the No. 18 Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team pushed No. 6 Dodge City to the limit on Wednesday at the DC3 Student Activities Center.

The Blue Dragons had a five-point lead with 3:23 remaining, but scored only one more point the rest of the way as the Conquistadors rallied for a 100-96 victory to take a three-game lead in the KJCCC standings.

Hutchinson dropped its third consecutive game – its first three-game skid since the 2015-16 season – and fell to 18-6 overall and 12-6 in the Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons play host to Colby at Saturday for the 10th annual Pink-Out Night. Dodge City improved to 21-4 and 16-3.

Playing without leading scorer and major 3-point threat Angelo Stuart, who was injured, the Blue Dragons trailed just 49-47 at halftime, but Dodge City opened an eight-point lead at 79-71 with 9:50 remaining.

Kaimen Lennox hit a 3-pointer to start a Blue Dragon comeback. Back-to-back Zavion McClendon 3-pointers and a Lennox layup after a Dodge City turnover capped a 16-5 Hutchinson run over the next 4:12 to lead 87-84. Then leading 92-90, Jacquez Yow converted a three-point play with 3:32 to go to give the Dragons a 95-90 lead.

Dodge City immediately answered with a 7-0 run over the next 38 seconds and took a 97-75 lead after a B.J. Freeman dunk with 1:57 left. The Blue Dragons couldn't get another shot to fall, only scoring one free throw in the final 3:23 as Dodge City closed with a 10-1 run.

The Blue Dragons shot 52.8 percent and had six 3-pointers in the opening half. The Dragons shot just 37.2 percent with three 3-pointers in the second half. For the game the Blue Dragons shot 36 of 81 (44.4 percent, knocking down 9 of 29 from 3-point range and 15 of 26 from the foul line.

Lennox scored a team-high 17 points with a pair of 3-pointers to lead the Blue Dragons, who had a season-low eight turnovers. Yow finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Kobe Campbell had 13 points and Cecil Lee finished with 11. McClendon and Jayden Garrison had eight points each.

The Blue Dragons out-rebounded Dodge City 46-38, led by a career-high 16 rebounds by Josiah Harris.

Current NJCAA national player of the week Themus Fulks led the Conquistadors with 21 points and 10 assists. Nick Pringle had 17 points and 20 rebounds. Oumar Koureissi had 15 points as did Kalen Williams. Mykell Robinson finished with 11 points.

Dodge City shot 55.7 percent for the game (34 of 61), hitting 5 of 8 from 3-point range and 27 of 42 from the free-throw line.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are 123-66 all-time against Dodge City. … The Blue Dragons are swept in the regular season by Dodge City for the first time since the 2001-02 season. … This was the fourth time the Blue Dragons have allowed 100 points in a game.