Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The No. 4-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team had to overcome the second-largest deficit of the season to remain undefeated on Wednesday night at the Sports Arena.
The Blue Dragons trailed by as many as 13 points, including nine points at halftime, but rallied to defeat the Cowley Tigers 76-75 in a key early Jayhawk Conference clash. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak to the Tigers.
The Blue Dragons improved to 11-0 overall and 5-0 in the Jayhawk Conference. A Top 15 clash is next for Hutchinson as No. 15 Butler comes to the Sports Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Cowley fell to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in the KJCCC.
Hutchinson struggled offensively in the opening half, shooting 39.5 percent (15 of 38) in the first half, while the Tigers shot 50 percent (20 of 40), including six 3-point goals. The Blue Dragons trailed 26-13 with 13:26 to play in the half.
Kobe Campbell scored to cap a 7-0 Dragon run to pull Hutchinson within six points, but Cowley maintained its lead and took a 46-37 cushion at halftime.
The Blue Dragons immediately opened the second half with a 13-1 run, taking a 49-47 lead on a Cecil Lee bucket. Two Angelo Stuart free throws gave the Dragons a 52-49 lead with 15:08 to play in the second half.
Leading 60-57, the Blue Dragons had an 8-0 run in 2 minute, 20 seconds to lead 69-57 after a Jayden Hall 3-pointer with 9:29 remaining. Cowley trimmed the Dragon lead to one twice in the final minute. Clarence King hit two free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining, but the Dragons ran out the clock to complete the second-largest comeback of the season.
The largest rally of the season was the 20-point comeback in the final 7 minutes to defeat Clarendon on November 13 in Great Bend.
Stuart led the Blue Dragons in scoring for a sixth-consecutive game on Wednesday with 21 points. Stuart hit 2 of 6 from 3-point range and was 7 of 7 overall, adding a season-high seven rebounds, three assists and two steals to pace the Blue Dragons.
Kaimen Lennon scored nine of his 12 points in the second-half Hutchinson surge. He added three assists and two steals. Campbell sparked the Blue Dragons off the bench with 10 points. Jacquez Yow played most of the night in foul trouble, but closed with eight points. Lee had seven points and seven rebounds.
The Blue Dragons shot 39.7 percent (15 of 38) in their season-low offensive output. Hutchinson was 6 of 26 from 3-point range, but 16 of 17 from the free-throw line. The Dragons were out-rebounded 43-41, but had seven blocked shots and 11 steals with 15 turnovers, only five in the second half.
Xavier Valley had 22 points, hitting 4 of 8 from 3-point range to pace the Tigers. King finished with 16 points and six assists.
The Tigers shot 42.3 percent overall (30 of 71). Cowley nailed 9 of 23 from 3-point range and 6 of 10 from the free-throw line.
The Tigers shot just 32.3 percent (10 of 31) as Hutchinson outscored Cowley 39-29 in the second half.
GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons now lead the all-time series with Cowley 87-45.