BLUE DRAGON MEN'S BASKETBALL |
No. 21 Hutchinson (7-1, 2-0) at Independence (1-8, 0-3) |
| When: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 Where: ICC Fieldhouse, Independence, KS Time: 7:30 p.m. Radio: KHUT-FM (102.9); KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5), 7:15 p.m. - Sean Boston (PBP); Dan Naccarato (Color) Video: Blue Dragon Sports Network, 7:15 p.m. X: @bluedragonsport CLICK FOR BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format) |
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The 21st-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team continues its first-semester Jayhawk Conference swing with a road trip to play the Independence Pirates on Wednesday.
Tipoff at the ICC Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) with Sean Boston (PBP) and Dan Naccarato (color) calling the action. The game will be streamed live and free on the Blue Dragon Sports Network. The broadcasts begin at 7:15 p.m.
The Blue Dragons bid for their fourth-consecutive victory for the season and an 18th straight win over Independence.
Last season the Dragons (7-1, 2-0 KJCCC) swept the season series against Independence, winning 99-94 at the Sports Arena and 115-94 at the ICC Fieldhouse.
Wednesday's meeting is the 79th in series history. Independence's last win in the series was a December 4, 2005 in the Jayhawk Shootout at Coffeyville. The last time the Dragons lost at the ICC Fieldhouse was February 2, 1987, a span of six games.
The Blue Dragons enter Wednesday's game after a Sunday battle with the Colby Trojans at the Sports Arena. The Blue Dragons had a back-and-forth battle with Colby, but outscored the Trojans 13-2 in the final 2:29 of the game for a 92-81 victory.
After trailing by two points at halftime, Hutchinson shot 61.2 percent in the second half. J.P. Ricks scored a career-high 18 points and Kamryn Thomas followed with 17 points to lead the Blue Dragon comeback and move Hutchinson to 1-1 when trailing at halftime this season.
Independence (1-8, 0-3 KJCCC) is off to a slow start for first-year head coach Jason Steadman.
The Pirates have dropped eight games in a row since a season-opening 70-66 win over Labette at the Cowley Classic. Independence fell 101-92 in its last game out on Saturday at Dodge City. Ahmarree Muhammad had 31 points to pace the Pirates.
Hutchinson and Independence are two of the Blue Bloods of Jayhawk Conference men's basketball. The programs have a combined five NJCAA national championships - the Dragons winning in 1988, 1994 and 2017. Independence won back-to-back national championships in 1977 and 1978.