DRAGON DEFENSE CAGES TIGERS IN 88-35 WIN

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

GOODLAND – The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team's defense had another tremendous effort in a 53-point victory over Fort Hays Tech Northwest on Saturday at Max Jones Fieldhouse.

The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons held the Tigers to opponent season lows in first-half output and field-goal percentage for a game as Hutchinson defeated Tech 88-35.

The Blue Dragons extended their program-record winning streak to 44 games won their 30th consecutive KJCCC game in improving to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in the Jayhawk. Hutchinson plays host to Colby at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Sports Arena. Tech fell to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in league play.

Hutchinson limited Tech to opponent season lows of four points in the first quarter and 12 points in the first half to build a 38-12 lead at halftime. The Blue Dragons limited the Tigers to 10 total field goals and 20-percent shooting (10 of 15) while forcing 20 turnovers in the game.

Offensively, the Blue Dragons shot a season-high 55.0 percent (33 of 60) and dished out a season's best 22 assists, led by freshman Honey Cooney's season- and team-high eight.

Sophomore Hailey Jackson posted her fourth double-double of the season to lead Hutchinson with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Jackson was 7 of 8 shooting and she added three assists, two steals and a blocked shot.

With her third point of the game, Jackson surpassed the career 600-point mark. Jackson now has 613 career points.

Freshman Jaden Wilson had a season-high 13 points off the bench to lead a 51-8 bench advantage for the Blue Dragons. Wilson hit a 3-pointer and had six rebounds.

Sophomore Brynne Katcher finished with 12 points on 6 of 7 shooting.

Landon Forbes and Dylan Alexander had nine points each for the Dragons. Noelle Anthon had seven points and a season-high seven rebounds.

The Blue Dragons were 6 of 21 shooting from 3-point range and 16 of 28 from the foul line. The Dragons had a 52-24 rebounding advantage and had 17 turnovers.

Dekeira Clay had 12 points to lead Tech, which was 3 of 19 from 3-point range and 12 of 18 from the foul line.

The Blue Dragons led 7-4 with 5:23 to play in the first quarter and closed the period on a 10-0 run to lead 17-4 at the quarter break.

A Wilson bucket with 7:42 to play in the second quarter gave the Dragons a 23-7 lead. Then leading 24-12, the Blue Dragons held Tech scoreless the final 6 minutes, 44 seconds of the second quarter and closed the half on a 14-0 run to build a 38-12 lead at halftime

A Kahlen Norris 3-pointer to start the third quarter extended that run to 17-0. The Dragons had runs of 8-0 and 9-0 in the third quarter to build a 58-16 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Anthon's two free throws with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter capped a 10-0 run for a 78-22 lead. The Dragons' largest lead of the game was 56 points (86-30).

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons won their 13th-straight game over Tech and are 14-1 all time. … Blue Dragon head coach John Ontjes earned career win No. 491. … The 53-point margin of victory is a season high for the Dragons , surpassing the 52-point margin of win over Neosho County on November 5 (122-70).