BLUE DRAGON MEN'S BASKETBALL |
Hutchinson (18-5) vs. No. 15 Cowley (20-4)
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| When: Saturday, April 20, 2021 Where: Garvey Center, Friends University, Wichita, KS Time: 8 p.m. Radio: KHUT-FM (102.9), 7:45 p.m. - Glen Grunwald (pbp); Daren Dunn (color) Video: KJCCC Network, 7:55 p.m. Twitter: @bluedragonsport CLICK FOR GAME NOTES (PDF Format) |
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team goes after their first Region VI championship since 2015 when the top-seeded Blue Dragons meet No. 2 seed and No. 15-ranked Cowley College at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Friends University's Garvey Center.
Hutchinson makes its eighth championship game appearance in the last nine seasons and 29th overall regional title game appearance. The Dragons are 18-10 in championship game appearances, but have lost four in a row (2016, 17, 18, 19).
The Blue Dragons (18-5) punched their ticket to the 2021 title game after a wild 76-75 semifinal victory over fifth-ranked Coffeyville on Friday. Majok Kuath followed a Josh Baker missed 3-pointer, banking the go-ahead bucket in with 1.2 seconds remaining in regulation.
Cowley (20-4) looks to win its first Region VI championship since 1957. Last season, the Tigers were eliminated in the regional semifinals, but still received an NJCAA Tournament at-large bid. The 2020 NJCAA Tournament was subsequently canceled because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Tigers roared into the championship game after a 104-77 victory over Barton on Friday. The five Cowley Tigers combined to score 93 of those points, 22 each coming from Mike'l Henderson and Dalen Ridgnal. The Tigers hit 15 3-pointers in the game.
The Blue Dragons know all too well about Cowley's 3-point shooting prowess. The Tigers hit an opponent-single-game record 19 3-pointers in a 113-99 win over Hutchinson on February 17 in Arkansas City.
Henderson scorched the Blue Dragons for 29 points and Cevin Clark had five 3-pointers and 19 points. Matt Mayers had a career game for the Blue Dragons with 44 points and 16 rebounds. Mayers' 44 points were the fourth most by a Blue Dragon in a single game in team history.
Cowley is the No. 2 scoring team in the nation at 108.0 points per game. With 318 made 3-pointers this season, the Tigers have 62 more makes from distance than No. 2 Grayson College.
Saturday will be the 20th Region VI Tournament meeting between Hutchinson and Cowley. The Dragons are 11-8.