LIBERAL, Kan. — The Blue Dragons had to hold on late for a 76-71 win at Seward County on Wednesday in the Greenhouse.
Kernan Bundy knocked down six free throws in the final 34 seconds of the game to give Hutchinson (18-11, 12-11) a little bit of breathing room down the stretch.
The Blue Dragons saw a 15-point lead disappear as Seward kept clawing back into the game. The Saints would grab their first lead at the 7:58 mark in the second half. Seward (13-16, 9-14) grew its lead to four just 30 seconds later.
The Blue Dragons looked lost in the second half with everything going the way of Seward. Hutchinson needed an answer. That's when Aaron Franklin and Kieran Carr both stepped up for the Blue Dragons. Franklin and Carr scored 17-straight Hutchinson points in the second half, including two big treys by Franklin from the top of the key.
Franklin led the offensive attack for HutchCC with 25 points, while Bundy added 19. Mario Whitley scored a team-high 22 points for Seward.
Hutchinson shot 47 percent (29-of-61) from the field. The Blue Dragons dominated the offensive and defensive glass, outrebounding the Saints 44-23.
The Blue Dragons will have a bye on Saturday before returning to the Sports Arena on Wednesday for the regular season finale against the Garden City Broncbusters. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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