Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Powered by a fourth-quarter rally, the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team evened its all-time series with Seward County at 50 wins apiece Saturday night at the Sports Arena.

Five players scored in double figures to help Hutchinson rally for its second win of the season when trailing after three quarters in an 82-76 victory over Seward County in the 100th all-time meeting between the Dragons and Saints.

The Blue Dragons improved to 13-4 overall and 7-4 in the Jayhawk Conference. The Dragons have their first bye week of the conference season on Wednesday and will travel to Garden City next Saturday for a 2 p.m. game at Conestoga Arena. Seward County fell to 9-7 overall and 7-4 in the KJCCC.

The Blue Dragons trailed 58-57 after three quarters and 60-57 after Seward's De'Shawnti Thomas scored on the Saints' first possession of the fourth quarter. The Dragons outscored Seward County 25-18 in the fourth quarter, getting eight points each from Mya Williams and Journey Armstead, while Morgan Browning and Natalie Payne each connected on key 3-point buckets in the final stanza.

The Blue Dragons did a majority of their damage in the fourth quarter at the free-throw line, making 13 of 16 from the stripe in the final 10 minutes. The Dragons' final eight points, scored in the final 1:18 of the game, came at the free-throw line.

Williams had a team-high 20 points to lead Hutchinson. The sophomore guard added four rebounds and four assists, while going 6 of 18 from the foul line, making her final six attempts at the stripe. Williams also moved past Jackie Patterson (2012-14) into ninth place on the Hutchinson career scoring list with 928 points.

Armstead finished with 15 points, all 15 points coming at the free-throw line on 18 attempts. Armstead's 15 free throws tied Stacey Welsh for third place on the Blue Dragon single-game free-throw list. Armstead's effort from the line led the Blue Dragons to season-high marks of 30 free throws on 44 attempts.

Both Monae Duffy and Kali Howard posted double-doubles for the Dragons.

Duffy had her second-straight double-double and third of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds, going 7 of 13 shooting from the field.

Howard had her team-high sixth double-double with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Howard had 11 rebounds in the first half.

Browning also scored in double figures with 11 points, tying a season high with three 3-point goals. Payne had a season-high nine points.

The Blue Dragons shot 35.7 percent overall (23 of 57), going 6 of 27 from the 3-point line. The Dragons held a 45-35 rebounding advantage and had 12 turnovers.

D'Arrah Allen posted individual opponent season highs of 27 points and five 3-pointers to lead the Saints. Allen had five 3-pointers and 20 points in the first half. Thomas finished with 18 points and seven rebounds before fouling out. Kylee Hunt had 11 points.

Seward County shot 40.3 percent for the game (27 of 67), hitting 9 of 23 from 3-point range – that matched an opponent high against Hutchinson – and 13 of 19 from the free-throw line. The Saints had 15 turnovers.

The Saints jumped out to a 7-1 lead over the first 1:40 of the game. Duffy had five points in the quarter, while Payne and Howard added follow-up shots after offensive rebounds and Williams drilled a 3-pointer to tie the Saints at 15-15 after the first quarter.

Trailing 19-18 early in the second quarter, the Blue Dragons went on a 15-5 run and built a 33-24 lead after a Howard free throw with 4:05 to play in the half. That's when Seward's Allen got on a torrid shooting streak, nailing four-straight 3-pointers, the final one and her fifth of the half came with 43 seconds left to give Hutchinson a 39-38 lead at halftime.

The third quarter featured nine lead changes and seven ties with neither team holding more than a one-possession lead. The Saints led 58-55, but Mya Williams scored with 1 second remaining on the clock to pull the Dragons within one point after three quarters.

Trailing 64-61, Duffy scored and Armstead added three free throws for a 66-64 Dragon lead. Browning then buried a 3-pointer with 3:28 to play to cap an 8-0 Hutchinson run for a 69-64 lead. After the Saints got a pair of free throws from Keanna Coburn, Payne delivered a huge shot for the Dragons with 2:12 play, hitting just her second 3-point goal of the season for a 72-66 lead. Williams then made it a three-possession game with a score for a 74-67 lead with 1:40 left. The Dragons hit 8 of 10 free throws in the final 1:18 to secure the victory.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are 9-0 at the Sports Arena and won their 10th-straight home game, the 19th time in program history to win at least 10-straight games at home. … The Dragons are 10-1 this season when out-rebounding an opponent. … Mya Williams posted her 23rd career game of 20 or more points. … The Blue Dragons are 2-3 this season when trailing after three quarters.