Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team ran its winning streak to five on Wednesday night, but had grind to get the job done.
The No. 17-ranked Blue Dragons survived an off-shooting offensive night and a gritty effort from Pratt to pull away late for a 66-55 Jayhawk West victory at the Sports Arena.
The Blue Dragons improved to 8-2 overall and 7-2 in the Jayhawk West. The Blue Dragons travel to Garden City for a 2 p.m. battle with the Broncbusters, who on Wednesday upset No. 25 Seward County in Liberal. Pratt fells to 4-7 overall and 3-7 in the Jayhawk West.
Despite to early foul trouble, the Blue Dragons were in good shape early in the second quarter. LoJong Gore's layup with 7:57 remaining in the second period gave the Blue Dragons a 20-9 lead. But the Blue Dragons went scoreless for the next 4 minutes, 16 second and without a field goal for 5 minutes, 48 seconds,
Pratt capped a 17-5 run with a Cassie Onwugbfor 3-pointer with 1:08 to play in the second quarter for a 26-25 lead. The Blue Dragons scored the final five points of the period, getting a layup from Gore and a 17 footer at the buzzer from Tor'e Alford to lead 30-26 at halftime.
The Blue Dragons again pushed the lead back to nine at 40-31 with 4:31 to play in the third quarter. The Beavers clawed their way back to within 46-45 after two Jaylyn Taylor free throws with 8:36 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Beavers had three possessions to take the lead or tie the game after that and the Blue Dragons got key defensive stops. Leading 54-51, Kalyn Ervin grabbed an offensive rebounds and scored with 3:08 left. Kate Ogle then scored to give the Dragons a 58-51 lead with 2:47 to play. Taylor nailed a 3-pointer with 2:42 to go to pull the Beavers within four, but the Blue Dragons outscored Pratt 8-1 in the final 2 minutes to secure the victory.
Ogle led the Blue Dragons with 17 points, her second-highest output of the season. Ogle was 7 of 13 shooting with four rebounds and a pair of assists in a season-high 35 minutes.
Gore posted her third double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Ishante Suttington was next with eight. Alford had seven and Yana Grassity had six points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The Blue Dragons shot 38.7 percent for the game (24 of 62), hitting only 1 of 11 from 3-point range and 17 of 23 from the free-throw line. Rebounding was even at 39 apiece and the Dragons committed 14 turnovers.
Jada Moss had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Beavers. Taylor had three 3-pointers and finished with 16 points.
Pratt shot 33.3 percent (18 of 54), hitting 7 of 25 from 3-point distance and 12 of 21 from the foul line. The Beavers had 22 turnovers.
GAME NOTES: The Blue Dragons won their 26th straight game at the Sports Arena and their 12th consecutive over Pratt. … The Dragons have an 81-11 all-time record against Pratt. … The Blue Dragons are now 7-0 in the Sports Arena this season. … The Blue Dragons have shot less than 40 percent in three consecutive games. … Hutch's one 3-pointer was a season low. … Kate Ogle's seven made field goals are a career high.