SALINA, Kan. — No. 25 Hutchinson (28-5) won its first Region VI tournament title since 2017 on Saturday night.
The Dragons split against Barton (20-13) in the regular season, but had no problems with the Cougars after trailing by four early.
Hutchinson went 7 of 14 from beyond the arc in the first half and built a 39-34 advantage.
While the Dragons fired away from outside, the Cougars pounded the ball inside.
Barton scored 22 points in the paint to Hutchinson's 21 from outside in the first half.
Janaya Washington provided a spark off the bench by hitting her first three shots from distance. Washington hit a career-high three three-pointers and finished with 11 points.
Mya Williams came up big in the third quarter once again for the Dragons. After scoring 14 Friday night in the third frame, she notched 12 Saturday night against Barton.
Williams finished the contest with 21 points and three triples.
Kalyn Ervin scored 10 of her 15 total points in the second half as Hutchinson went up by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter.
FINAL: Hutchinson 82 Barton 66
The Dragons shot 49.2% for the game.
Hutchinson advances to the national tournament in Lubbock, Texas, March 16-21.
The Dragons will find out their seeding Sunday night in a special NJCAA selection show.
Mel Kailahi added 13 points for the Dragons.
Cori Lard and Brennan Kirchhoff each had 15 for Barton.
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