BLUE DRAGONS ROLL BY DODGE CITY FOR WEST WIN

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

A rugged first half turned into a splendid third quarter for the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team in its 83-50 Jayhawk West victory over Dodge City on Wednesday night at the Sports Arena.

Scoring only 32 points in the first two quarters, the No. 10-ranked Blue Dragons nearly matched that in the third quarter alone with 31 points. That turned a 14-point halftime lead into a 30-point cushion after three periods.

Hutchinson's ninth-straight win over Dodge City improves the Blue Dragons record to 18-2 and the two-thirds mark of the regular season. The Blue Dragons remain one game behind Seward County for first place in the Jayhawk West after the Saints' win over Colby on Wednesday. Hutchinson travels to Colby for a 3 p.m. tip on Sunday in the Colby Community Building. Dodge City lost its fifth in a row and fell to 9-11 and 4-7.

Leading 32-18 at halftime, the Blue Dragons started the third period with an 18-5 run. Sophomore Abby Ogle was the catalyst for the huge third quarter after playing only six minutes in the first half with two fouls. Ogle scored 15 of her team-high 17 points in the third quarter. Ogle hit six shots in the third period, including a 3-pointer which gave Hutchinson its first 30-point lead of the game at 60-30.

Hutchinson hit 12 of 16 shots in the third period (75 percent) in amassing its sixth 30-point single quarter this season. Brooklyn Betham had six points in the third quarter, followed by Lauryn Mapusua's 5. Makayla Vannett hit a 3-pointer and Sasha Francis added a 2-pointer as Hutch outscored Dodge City 31-15 in the period.

The Blue Dragons shot 50 percent or better for a game for the fourth time this season shooting 50.9 percent (28 of 55), going 8 of 25 from 3-point range and 19 of 31 from the free-throw line. The Blue Dragons out-rebounded Dodge City 39-35.

In addition to Ogle, Mapusua and Betham both scored in double figures to lead the Blue Dragons.

Mapusua had her fourth game scoring in double figures in her last six with 16 points and five assists.

Betham posted her third double-double this season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Betham's six offensive rebounds tied a season high.

Freshman Tor'e Alford returned to action for the first time in eight games and knocked down 3 of 4 3-pointers to finish with nine points. Gelecia Cooper also had nine points with five rebounds. Francis finished with eight points and Vannett had seven points with a pair of 3-pointers.

Hutchinson held its fourth-straight opponent under 33 percent shooting. Dodge City shot 32.1 percent (18 of 56), going 6 of 20 from 3-point range and 8 of 12 from the free-throw line. The Conquistadors, who were minus their leading scorer and rebounder because of illness, had 20 turnovers.

Ashia Pool finished with a game-high 19 points to lead the Conquistadors.

GAME NOTES – This was Hutchinson's all-time 994th victory. … Blue Dragon teams coached by John Ontjes are now 198-26 at the Sports Arena. … With two 3-pointers, Makayla Vannett is now at 159 for her career, just two treys from surpassing Joell Meyer for fourth place on the career list. … Abby Ogle, who had two steals, tied Alysse Barlow for third on the Blue Dragon career steals list with 177. … Hutchinson is now 69-27 against Dodge City, 34-13 in Hutchinson. … The Dragons tied a season high with 19 free throws. … The Dragons are 11-0 at the Sports Arena. … Brooklyn Betham had her sixth rebounding game with 10 or more boards this season.