BLUE DRAGON SEASON ENDS IN REGION 6 QUARTERS

Bo Aldridge defense during the second half of the Blue Dragons' Region 6 quarterfinal loss to Butler on Tuesday at the Sports Arena. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)

March 11, 2025

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

A hot offensive start quickly cooled off for the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team Tuesday night at the Sports Arena.

Out to a 17-9 lead early, the Blue Dragons fell victim to a 24-9 Butler run in the first half and weren't able to recover in a 74-73 loss to the Grizzlies in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Region 6 men's tournament.

The Blue Dragons close the season with a 19-12 record.

Bo Aldridge posted his eighth 20-point of an impressive freshman season to lead the Blue Dragons with 23 points, hitting a season-high three 3-pointers. He had five points in Hutchinson's initial 17-9 start.

But the Blue Dragons went cold after that as Butler turned the game around with a 24-9 run over a span of 9 minutes, 59 seconds. The Dragons still led 26-22 with 6:57 to go on an Aldridge bucket, but Butler scored 11 unanswered points to build a 33-26 lead with 2:18 left in the first half and led 35-30 at halftime.

The Blue Dragons got within one possession twice in the first 5 minutes of the second half, but Butler built a 60-48 lead with 8:38 left.

The Dragons once again rallied and pulled within 71-70 with 10 seconds left after D.J Dudley hit three free throws. Trailing 72-70, but Blue Dragons turned the ball over and Butler sealed the win with two free throws.

In addition to Aldridge's 23 points, two other Blue Dragons scored in double figures.

Dudley finished with 18 points and Khalil Arnold had 12 points. Bobby Cannon had eight points and a career-high seven blocked shots. Kobe Smith had eight points.

The Blue Dragons finished shooting 40.7 percent (24 of 59), going 11 of 28 from 3-point range and 14 of 19 from the free-throw line. The Dragons were out-rebounded 42-30, but had only nine turnovers.

Josiah Kirkwood finished with 17 points to lead Butler, which was 22 of 56 shooting (39.3 percent). The Grizzlies were 8 of 20 from 3-point range and 22 of 33 from the free-throw line.

All three games between Hutchinson and Butler this season were decided by a combined five points.