DRAGONS DOWN CLOUD, EXTEND WIN STREAK TO 50 GAMES

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

CONCORDIA – Sophomore Hailey Jackson posted her sixth double-double and the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team's offense snapped a three-game slump in a 24-point victory over Cloud County on Saturday at Arley Bryant Gym.

The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons ran their program-record winning streak to 50 games after shooting 52.7 percent from the field in a 77-53 victory over Cloud County.

The Blue Dragons improved to 13-0 and 7-0 in the KJCCC. The Dragons also extended their KJCCC win streak to 35 games as Hutchinson reached the holiday break. Hutchinson's next game will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 4 at the Sports Arena.

Jackson had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Blue Dragons for her eighth career double-double. She was 4 of 4 from the 3-point line with two of them and eight total points coming in a first quarter where Hutchinson opened a 23-12 lead.

Jackson became the 37th Blue Dragon player to surpass the career 700-point plateau. She now has 709 points.

The Dragons shot better than 50 percent for the first time in five games hitting 29 of 55 overall shots, including 8 of 13 from 3-point range and 11 of 18 from the free-throw line. Hutchinson had averaged 55.3 points per game in its last three games.

Freshman Dylan Alexander scored a career-high 18 points off the bench for the Dragons. Alexander was 6 of 13 from the field and was a perfect from the foul line with a career-high six free throws.

Sophomore Jada Pleasant also scored a career high with 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting with a 3-pointer. Pleasant added four assists.

Madi Denison had six points. Brynne Katcher and Honey Cooney scored five points each.

The Blue Dragons out-rebounded Cloud County 42-24, but had 20 turnovers.

Talaisa Thomas had 16 points and Bre Frazier had 14 points to lead Cloud County.

The Thunderbirds shot 31.4 percent (16 of 61), including 2 of 15 from 3-point range and 19 of 25 from the line. Cloud had 18 turnovers.

Tied at 4-4 in the opening quarter, Pleasant's putback basket started an 8-0 run for Hutchinson. Jackson hit a 3-pointer to close the run and give the Dragons a 12-4 lead with 5:30 to play in the period. The Dragons shot 57.1 percent in the first period and Alexander hit four free throws in the final 1:19 to five Hutchinson a 23-12 lead after 10 minutes.

Leading by nine, back-to-back 3-pointers from Katie Duncan and Jackson upped Hutchinson's lead to 31-16 with 5:48 left in the second quarter. Leading 32-21, the Dragons held Cloud County scoreless for the final 2:55 of the quarter. Two-point baskets by Jaden Wilson and Pleasant and a Jackson 3-pointer gave the Dragons a 39-21 halftime lead.

The Dragons took full control of the game when Katcher's fast-break layup started an 11-0 run in the middle stages of the third quarter. Jackson's transition layup closed the run and gave the Dragons a 51-25 lead with 4:56 remaining in the period. Hutchinson didn't have a field goal and scored only two points over the next 4:41 as Cloud County pulled within 54-35. Alexander finished off the quarter with a drive to the hoop with 15 seconds left to give Hutchinson a 56-35 lead.

The Dragons weren't threatened in the fourth quarter. The Thunderbirds closed within 16 points at 66-50. The Dragons closed the game on an 11-3 run, holding Cloud without a field goal for the final 4:39.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are now 52-28 all-time against Cloud County, including 24-14 in games played in Concordia. … Blue Dragon head coach John Ontjes earned his 496th win. … This was the 11th time the Dragons held an opponent to less than 40 percent shooting. … Cloud County's 24 rebounds were an opponent season low.