ROUGH 2ND HALF DOOMS BLUE DRAGON WOMEN

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team suffered through a season-low offensive output in a single quarter and Seward County took full advantage in a battle of nationally ranked teams on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

The 17th-ranked Blue Dragons scored just six points in the third quarter as No. 13 Seward County broke open a two-point game at halftime and extended its lead to as many as 15, ultimately defeating Hutchinson 62-49.

Hutchinson, now 15-3 overall and 11-3 in the Jayhawk Conference, saw its 13-game winning streak come to an end. Seward County, which sweeps the regular-season series with Hutchinson, improves to 16-2 and 12-2.

The Blue Dragons trailed 29-27 at halftime and took a brief one-point lead after the first possession of the third quarter on a Jada Mickens three-point play. Hutch scored only three points for the remainder of the quarter – a Tia Bradshaw 3-pointer. The Dragons were 2 of 14 with six turnovers in the third quarter as the Saints outscored the Dragons 13-6 in the third quarter to lead 42-33 heading to the fourth quarter.

Mickens led the Blue Dragons with 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting and eight rebounds. Freshman Dejanae Roebuck had her eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Tia Bradshaw finished with 10 points and four assists.

The Blue Dragons finished shooting 34.5 percent (19 of 55), going just 4 of 21 from 3-point range and 7 of 11 from the free-throw line. Hutch out-rebounded Seward County 35-33. The Dragons turned the ball over 18 times.

Mollie Mounsey finished led all scorers with 20 points for Seward County. Held without a 3-pointer through almost three full quarters, Mounsey hit four treys in the final 11 minutes. Silvia Veloso had 11 points and Brennyn Sigler had 10 points.

The Saints shot 42.9 percent (24 of 56) overall, going 7 of 20 from 3-point range and 7 of 13 from the foul line. Seward County had 10 turnovers and 15 steals.

Consistent offense was tough to come by all game long for the Blue Dragons.

Early on trailing 7-4, the Dragons tied the game with 3:48 to play in the first period on an Alicia Brown three-point play. The Dragons took their first lead at 9-7 on a Mickens jumper with 3:10 to go in the opening period. The Dragons trails 14-13 after one quarter.

The Dragons took a 17-14 lead after a Mickens jumper in the paint with 8:50 to play in the period. The Saints fought back to reclaim a 21-19 lead with 5:43 left on a Valerie Caro steal and layup. Tia Bradshaw then stepped up with a 2-point jumper to tie the game with 4:28 to go and then a 3-pointer with 3:20 to play for a 24-21 lead. Trailing 27-25 late in the second quarter, Mickens scored inside with 28 seconds left to tie the score for the fourth time, but Vilma Covane scored with 27 seconds left and Seward County took a 29-27 lead at halftime.

Mickens' three-point play with 9:38 to play gave the Dragons a 30-29 lead. Tia Bradshaw then hit a 3-pointer with 6:58 left to give the Dragons a 33-32 lead. Seward County scored the final 10 points of the quarter and held Hutchinson scoreless for 8 minutes, 15 seconds. The Saints scored 12 unanswered points to lead 44-33 with 9:07 to play in the fourth quarter.

The Dragons cut the deficit to eight points twice, the second with 4:44 to play after a Mickens free throw made it 47-39 Seward County. Mounsey answered with a 3-pointer on the next Saints' possession to end the threat of a Hutch comeback.

Hutchinson will play host to Cloud County at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are now 44-46 all-time against Seward County, 24-18 in games played at the Sports Arena. … This was Seward County's first win in the Sports Arena since 2009 (12 games). … Tia Bradshaw hit two 3-pointers in a game for the fourth time this season. … There were 12 lead changes and eight ties in the game. … Seward County sweeps the regular-season series with Hutchinson for the first time since 2007. ... The Dragons are now 2-2 against ranked opponents this season.