HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Some nights, you just can't buy a bucket.
Such was the case Wednesday night for No. 8 Hutchinson (17-3, 11-3) as the Dragons lost at home for the second time during their three-game homestand.
Both losses were by five points.
Hutchinson led by six with 15:17 left before Cloud County (9-10, 5-8) used the next five minutes to build a 57-53 advantage.
The Thunderbirds led by as many as 11 with 6:24 left before some late threes by Kaimen Lennox made things interesting.
Lennox made just 3 of 10 three-pointers, but all three came within the last 3:30.
Hutchinson only made 8 of its 35 attempts from deep.
The Dragons also struggled from the free-throw line. The Dragons made only 56.3% of their free-throws, including an ice cold 11 of 21 in the second half.
Hutchinson shot only 35.9% on just 78 attempts as Cloud County slowed down the tempo. The Dragons put up 100 shots just two nights ago.
The Thunderbirds took advantage of a half-court offense by making 62% of their shots on 50 attempts. Cloud County only took eight threes and made half of them.
Cloud County shot slightly better at the line, hitting 21 of 34 attempts.
FINAL: Cloud County 87 Hutchinson 82
Kaimen Lennox led the cause with 18 points. Jacquez Yow added 17 points and nine rebounds. Angelo Stuart made just 4 of 15 attempts, but produced 15 points.
Hutchinson won the rebounding battle 47-33, but only scored 29 points on 29 offensive rebounds.
Cloud County outscored Hutchinson in the paint 54-36.
The Thunderbirds were led by Corey Sawyer's 31 points. Sawyer made all 11 of his free-throw attempts.
The men will not play in Pratt Saturday. That game has been postponed. The women will face Pratt this Saturday at 2 p.m.
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