BLUE DRAGONS GO WIRE-TO-WIRE IN VICTORY OVER CONQS

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The No. 18-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team ran its winning streak to 13 games as the Blue Dragons rolled by Dodge City 74-47 to close out the first half of the Jayhawk Conference season on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons improve to 15-2 overall and remains tied in the Jayhawk Conference with 11-2 record. Dodge City drops its fourth in a row and slips to 5-11 and 2-11 in league play. Hutchinson opens the second half of Jayhawk Conference play on Wednesday against No. 13 Seward County at the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons led wire-to-wire, building a 38-27 lead by halftime. The Blue Dragons dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Conquistadors 22-4. The Blue Dragons opened the third quarter 20-2 run. Dodge City was held to 6 of 27 shooting in the second half combined to Hutch's 13 of 27 shooting with four 3-pointers.

Freshman Dejanae Roebuck scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the first half. Roebuck was 7 of 10 shooting with seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Freshman Sara Cramer hit 3 of 6 from 3-point range to finish with 13 points, three assists and two steals.

Sophomore Alicia Brown was the third Blue Dragon in double figures with 10 points. Jada Mickens had seven points and Kelsey Brett had six points.

The Blue Dragons shot 27 of 57 from the floor (47.4 percent), hitting 9 of 27 from 3-point range and 11 of 21 from the free-throw line. The Dragons out-rebounded Dodge City 40-27. Hutch had 22 assists and 13 steals with 15 turnovers.

Mikaela Ewing and Allie Baker had 10 points each to lead the Conquistadors. Ashley Nelson had eight points.

Dodge City was 18 of 53 shooting (34.0 percent), hitting 5 of 17 from 3-point range and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line. The Conquistadors had 20 turnovers.

A Tia Bradshaw 3-pointer capped a quick 7-0 Blue Dragon start in the first 1:45 of the game. Dodge City then went on a 7-2 run to pull within 9-7 with 3:20 to play in the period. The Dragons responded with an 8-0 run capped by a Brianna Bradshaw 3-pointer with 47 seconds left that gave hutch a 17-7 lead. The Dragons led 18-9 after one quarter.

The Dragons pushed their lead to 25-11 on a Roebuck inside bucket with 8:18 to play in the second quarter. Dodge City cut the lead to nine points twice and eventually pulled within 32-27 after a Baker 3-pointer with 1:53 remaining in the half. Again the Dragons responded with Cramer's second 3-pointer of the first half, then a Brown steal and layup to help Hutchinson close the half on a 6-0 run to lead 38-27 at halftime.

Hutchinson came out strong to start the third period scoring on 3 of its first 5 possessions to build a 44-27 lead after two Roebuck free throws with 7:24 to play in the third quarter. After a Nelson jumper for Dodge City, the Blue Dragons scored 14 unanswered points over a stretch of 3 minutes, 47 seconds and led 58-29 on Brown's 3-pointer with 1:57 left in the third quarter.

Hutchinson's largest lead came with 8:32 to play when a Roebuck layup gave the Blue Dragons their largest lead of the game at 34 points (65-31). Dodge City outscored Hutchinson 16-14 in the fourth quarter.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons now own a 65-27 all-time series advantage over Dodge City, 32-13 in the Sports Arena. … The Blue Dragons have lost to Dodge City in 23 consecutive games. … The Dragons registered all-time Sports Arena victory No. 498. … Kelsey Brett tied season highs with six points, two 3-pointers and three assists. … Tia Bradshaw tied a season high with four steals. … The four third-quarter points by Dodge City tied an opponent season low in the third quarter. … This was the 14th time this season the Blue Dragons have held an opponent to less than 40 percent shooting. … This was the seventh time this season that the Dragons forced 20 or more turnovers.