SALINA, Kan. — The No. 21 Dragons (25-7) never trailed No. 25 Butler (23-9) Friday night, but the Grizzlies did pull within two points with 7:18 remaining.
Hutchinson got a big night from Josiah Harris, who just missed out on a double-double with his 20 points and nine rebounds.
Angelo Stuart scored 24 points despite making only 1 of 6 three-point attempts. It was just the third game this season Stuart made only one three. He has two or more made threes in every other game this season.
Kaimen Lennox added 19 points for the Dragons.
Hutchinson shot out to an 18-point lead in the first half before Butler started to make things interesting.
The Grizzlies did so with 6-foot-8 freshman Isaac Ondekane, who scored 12 points in the first half. He finished the game with 15.
Former Dragon, Jaden Okon, led Butler with a double-double (16 points and 12 rebounds).
Hutchinson shot just 28.6% from distance, but shot 43.8% for the game, including a hot 6 of 10 start.
Both teams turned the ball over only three times each in the first half before the turnover floodgate opened in the second half.
Butler finished with 14 turnovers, which the Dragons turned into 21 points.
Hutchinson turned the ball over only eight times.
Despite a strong post presence from Ondekane and Isaiah Williams (31 combined points), Hutchinson won the battle in the paint 44-36.
The Dragons were outrebounded, however, 44-38.
Butler finished with 19 second-chance points on 13 offensive rebounds. Hutchinson held Butler to six offensive boards and five second-chance points in the first half.
The Dragons went on a 9-2 run after the Grizzlies closed in at 70-68.
The Grizzlies never got back within five after that run.
FINAL: Hutchinson 92 Butler 85
Hutchinson will face Dodge City Saturday night in Salina for the Region VI Championship.
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