HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 25 Dragons (26-5) used the first seven minutes of Tuesday's quarterfinal to set the tone against Dodge City (19-13).
The Conqs averaged nearly one turnover per minute in the first five minutes of play. Hutchinson took a commanding lead at 16-4 with 3:19 left in the first quarter.
Dodge City chipped away at the deficit and entered the locker room down eight. The Blue Dragons shot 58.8% in the third quarter to extend that lead to 15.
Dodge City committed 23 turnovers that the Dragons turned into 26 points.
Hutchinson owned the paint 36-24.
FINAL: Hutchinson 72 Dodge City 52
Hutchinson shot 46.7% for the game while holding Dodge City to 35.7%.
Mel Kailahi could not be stopped as she poured in 17 points on 8 of 12 shooting. She added seven rebounds and three steals.
Mya Williams (16) and Tor'e Alford (14) also scored in double digits. Alford also had seven rebounds.
Jada Burton led the Conqs with 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Dragons move on to Friday's semifinal in Salina against Seward County at 5 p.m.
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