Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Normally when the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team and the Butler Grizzlies get together, there is a lot on the line.

Saturday's 2 p.m. encounter at the Power Plant in El Dorado will be no different for yet another Top 25 showdown between the two Jayhawk Conference powers.

However, both the No. 11 Blue Dragons and No. 222 Grizzlies enter Saturday's contest smarting a bit as both Hutchinson and Butler come off losses in midweek games on the road.

The Blue Dragon women fell behind Cowley 9-0 before scoring, rallied to take a one-point lead, but a late 6-0 Tiger run was too much to overtime in a 55-49 loss on Wednesday at Cowley.

The Blue Dragons had a season-low offensive out and hit a season-low 3 for 21 from 3-point range. Monae Duffy led the Blue Dragons. Mya Williams and Journey Armstead had 11 points each.

Butler also was right in the thick of its game on Wednesday at Coffeyville. Tied at 49 after three quarters, the Grizzlies were outscored 19-11 in the final 10 minutes and dropped a 68-60 decision to the Red Ravens for their first loss of the season. Jada Knight had 11 points to pace the Grizzlies.

As rough as things have been for the Blue Dragons offensively, the defense has been stellar, especially over the last three games. Hutchinson is allowing only 54.3 points per game. Opposing teams have shot only 32.1 percent and the Dragons are forcing an average of 19 turnovers per game.

Once again, the Blue Dragons face one of the top defensive teams in the KJCCC in Butler. The Grizzlies are allowing 55.2 points per game, which is second-best in the Jayhawk. Butler is allowing opponents to shoot 38.9 percent and the Grizzlies lead the league in steals with 16.1 picks per game.

The Blue Dragons complete a stretch of playing on the road in 4 of 5 times. So far the Dragons are 2-2 in that stretch.

The next week is also a critical week with a home game against Coffeyville and road game at Dodge City next Week.