BLUE DRAGONS MEET NEOSHO COUNTY WEDNESDAY

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

One of four teams separated by one game at the top of the Jayhawk Conference standings, the Hutchinson Community College Women's Basketball team looks to keep pace on Wednesday as the Neosho County Panthers come to the Sports Arena.

Game time for the Jayhawk Conference matchup is at 5:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) at 5:20 p.m. with Glen Grunwald (play-by-play) and Rusty Hilst (analysis) calling the action.

While No. 15-ranked Hutchinson's offense hasn't been as prolific as past seasons, one of the big reasons why the Blue Dragons are just one game out of first place because is defense.

Over the past two games, the Blue Dragons are allowing just 45.0 points per game with opposing teams shooting only 26.4 percent overall and 26.7 percent from 3-point range. Ranked third in the Jayhawk Conference in scoring defense, the Blue Dragons have surrendered less than 50 points seven times and less than 40-percent shooting 17 times this season.

When the Blue Dragons defeated Coffeyville 62-43 on Saturday, the Red Ravens missed their first 16 shots and didn't score a field goal for the first 13 minutes 25 seconds of the game.

One of the teams to somewhat solve Hutchinson's defense, is Wednesday's opponent, Neosho County.

The Blue Dragons defeated the Panthers 75-62 on November 25 in Chanute. Alicia Brown had 19 points to lead the Dragons. Jada Mickens had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Dejanae Roebuck had 16 points.

Beth Hawkins hit four 3-pointers to lead Neosho County with 12 points. Erica Birch had 11 points. Neosho County shot 35.1 percent with six 3-pointers, but turned the ball over 26 times. The Blue Dragons held advantages of 42-28 in the paint and 29-15 in points off turnovers.

Neosho County has lost seven games in a row entering play on Wednesday. The Panthers dropped a 63-61 decision on Saturday in Chanute. The Panthers are scoring 62.3 points per game offensively and 75.8 points per game defensively.

Birch is Neosho County's leading scorer at 9.2 points per game. She is shooting 53.3 percent from the field. Hawkins averages 8.8 points per game. She is shooting 35.1 percent from 3-point range and averages 2.0 made 3-pointers per game.

Hutchinson, Cowley and Independence are all tied for second place in the Jayhawk Conference at 14-3, one game behind Seward County.