Hutchinson CC Sports Information
GREAT BEND – Sophomore Kalyn Ervin scored a rare four-point play with 11.8 seconds remaining in regulation to help the No. 20-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team complete a big second-half rally on Friday at Barton Cougar Booster Club Classic.
Fouled on a made 3-pointer, Ervin's four-point play turned a late one-point deficit into 58-55 victory over Division II, No. 5 Labette at the Barton Gym.
The Blue Dragons improved to 5-0 and moved head coach John Ontjes to within one victory of career coaching win No. 400. Hutchinson will take Howard College at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the final non-conference game of the regular season. This was Labette's first game of the regular season.
Hutchinson trailed 34-23 with 7:22 remaining in the third quarter and was down 43-36 after three quarters. The Blue Dragons took a 54-53 lead with a Janaya Washington free throw with 1:08 to play in the fourth quarter. Labette grabbed the lead back on the next possession with a Janiya Reed layup with 33 seconds to play for a 55-54 Cardinal advantage.
With the shot clock under 10 on Hutchinson's final possession, Ervin took a pass from Tor'e Alford on the left wing and nailed a 3-pointer with 11.8 seconds left to go. Ervin was fouled by Kayla Braxton-Young in the act of shooting. Ervin hit her free throw for a 58-55 lead.
Labette got a guarded fade-away 3-pointer by Tamiah Robinson off at the buzzer, but it was well off the mark and the Blue Dragons competed the comeback.
The Blue Dragons survived a season-low offensive output to earn their fifth victory of the season. The Dragons started the game missing 17 of their first 19 shot attempts and trailed the Cardinals 13-9 after the first quarter. Hutchinson wasn't much better in the second quarter with 4 of 15 shooting and Labette led 25-19 at intermission.
Shut out in the first half, freshman Mya Williams, the Dragons' leading scorer, found her scoring groove in the second half. She scored 10 points in the third quarter and Hutchinson pulled within 38-36 after a Williams 3-pointer with 2:15 to play in the period. Labette scored the final five points of the third quarter to lead 43-36 heading to the fourth period.
Williams finished with a game-high 17 points, all in the second half, hitting a pair of 3-pointers and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. Alford also scored in double figures with 11 points and seven assists. Alford surpassed the career 200-assist mark with her third assist of the game.
Ervin had nine points and four rebounds. Mele Kailahi and Kali Howard had seven points each.
The Blue Dragons finished the game shooting a season-low 30.6 percent (20 of 65). Hutchinson was 5 of 17 from 3-point range and 13 of 18 from the free-throw line. The Dragons were out-rebounded 38-36 against a much-taller Labette team. Hutchinson had a season-low nine turnovers while forcing 18 Labette turnovers.
Robinson finished with 14 points and seven assists to lead the Cardinals. Reed had 10 points.
Labette shot 41.2 percent (21 of 51) for the game, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range and 8 of 11 from the free-throw line.
GAME NOTES – Hutchinson has won three in a row against Labette and now holds an 18-6 all-time record over the Cardinals. … With two 3-pointers in the game, Tor'e Alford is now alone in 10 in career 3-pointers for the Blue Dragons with 111 for her career. She broke a 10th-place tie with Amanda Fessenden (2006-08). … The 11-point deficit in the third quarter as Hutchinson's largest of the season. … Janaya Washington as Hutchinson's leading rebounder with six on Friday.