Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team opens the second half of Jayhawk Conference competition with a nationally ranked battle against the Dodge City Conquistadors.

The No. 4-ranked Blue Dragons (18-0, 12-0 KJCCC) will meet No. 12 Dodge City (16-2, 10-2) at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and on sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 5:15 p.m. with Sean Boston (PBP) and Dan Naccarato (color) calling the action. The game will be streamed live on the Blue Dragon Sports Network at 5:15 p.m.

This will be Hutchinson's third matchup against a nationally ranked opponent this season. The Blue Dragons defeated No. 11 Dodge City 72-70 on November 18 in Dodge City and No. 3 Butler 83-54 on January 3 in El Dorado.

As the second half of the KJCCC season begins, the Blue Dragons lead second-place Dodge City by two games, Butler by three games and Barton by four games.

Hutchinson's 18-0 start was in serious jeopardy on November 18 at Dodge City. The Blue Dragons trailed by 10 points with 3:20 to play in the fourth quarter at the DC3 Student Events Center. Journey Armstead hit two free throws with 11 seconds to play to give the Dragons the lead and Hutchinson rallied to win 72-70.

The Blue Dragons enter play on Wednesday following an 85-64 victory over Garden City at the Sports Arena. Leading by one point at halftime, the Blue Dragons outscored the Busters 31-7 in the third quarter to take control of the game. Monae Duffy had 17 points and Kiki Smith had 16 to pace the Blue Dragons.

Dodge City had a full week to rest in preparation for Wednesday. The Conquistadors defeated Garden City 85-77 last Wednesday. Six players scored in double figures led by Paris Santacatarina with 17 points. Shornia Preston had 16 points.

The Blue Dragons will have to defend the No. 1 3-point shooting team in the Jayhawk Conference in Dodge City. The Conquistadors shoot 38.5 percent from distance, which is No. 5 in the nation, averaging 11.1 made 3's per game. Earlier this season against Coffeyville, Dodge City blistered the Red Ravens with 23 3-pointers in 35 attempts.

Wednesday's game will be the 106th in series history between Hutchinson and Dodge City.