Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team started its 50th season with a dominant performance against Eastern Oklahoma State in the BSN Sports Tip-Off Classic on Friday at the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons won their eighth-straight season opener after an 87-56 victory over the Mountaineers in the 2023-24 season opener.

Hutchinson (1-0) plays NEO (0-1) at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. No. 20 Barton (1-0) plays Eastern Oklahoma State (0-1) at 1 p.m.

Freshman Kiki Smith scored a game-high 18 points to lead four Blue Dragons in double figures. Smith was 8 of 10 shooting, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. Smith just missed a double-double with eight rebounds.

Freshman Hailey Jackson scored 17 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Jackson was 6 of 14 shooting.

Sophomore Journey Armstead hit all five of her shot attempts and finished with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Freshman Kahlen Norris had 10 points with three rebounds and three assists. Sophomores Monae Duffy and Bree Horyna had nine points each. Horyna was a perfect 3 of 3 from the 3-point line.

Freshman Madi Denison finished with six points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Blue Dragons shot 44.3 percent (31 of 70), hitting 5 of 17 from 3-point rang and 20 of 30 from the free-throw line. The Blue Dragons out-rebounded Eastern Oklahoma State 60-36.

Olivia Johnson led the Mountaineers with 13 points. Eastern Oklahoma State shot 23.9 percent (16 of 67) and 5-26 from the 3-point line. The Mountaineers had 17 turnovers.

The Blue Dragons started the game hitting 10 of their first 17 shots and led 23-6 after one quarter. The Dragons used a 15-0 run in building a 17-2 lead after an Armstead free throw with 1:53 to play in the opening quarter.

A Jackson fastbreak layup with 9:16 to play in the second quarter gave the Dragons a 25-6 lead. Horyna gave the Dragons their first 20-point lead of the game with 6:18 to go in the second quarter when she splashed a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 35-13 lead. Jackson hit a jump shot with 3:35 remaining in the period for a 39-15 lead. The Dragons lead 46-21 at halftime.

The Blue Dragons built their first 30-point lead after a Smith layup with 7:05 remaining in the third quarter for a 55-24 lead. Duffy scored inside with 3:01 to go gave the Blue Dragons their largest lead of the game at 39 at 68-29.

GAME NOTES: The Blue Dragons are 41-9 all-time in season openers and are 45-5 all-time in home openers. … The Blue Dragons have won 22 of the last 23 home openers. … The Dragons are now 2-2 all-time against Eastern Oklahoma State. … The Blue Dragons outscored the Mountaineers 44-18 in points in the paint. … Monae Duffy had her 12th game of 10 or more rebounds with 11 boards.