GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday, falling to Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa, 89-86.
The Blue Dragons erased a 21-point deficit in the second half to tie the game up with just over five minutes remaining, but could never grab the lead. Hutchinson held just one lead in the game, that coming 24 seconds into the first half.
Hutchinson (4-1) trailed 43-25 at halftime after the Mavericks dominated the opening 20 minutes, shooting 56 percent from the floor, while the Blue Dragons shot just 29 percent, including 1-of-17 from behind the arc.
The Blue Dragons outscored the Mavericks in the second half, 61-46.
Kamryn Thomas and Dallas Whitney each poured in career-high 21-point performances in the loss. Valentino Simon added 14 and JP Ricks nine.
Tonkawa was led by Javontae Campbell with a game-high 26 points, he was one of four Mavericks in double figures.
The Blue Dragons open Jayhawk Conference play on Saturday in Dodge City with tipoff set for 3 p.m. from the Student Activity Center.