HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Noelle Anthon powered No. 19 Hutchinson to its first win over a ranked opponent this season, posting 17 points and 12 rebounds for her second career double-double as the Blue Dragons knocked off No. 6 Dodge City 60-51 on Wednesday night at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
Hutchinson won its fifth straight to reach 20-5 overall and 15-4 in the KJCCC, notching the 34th 20-win season in program history. The Blue Dragons, who entered 0-3 against ranked teams, snapped that skid and pulled within a half-game of Dodge City for second place in the league standings.
The win also completed a season-series split and delivered some payback. Dodge City won the first meeting 79-57 in Dodge City.
In a physical, low-scoring game, Hutchinson’s defense set the tone by holding the Conquistadors to a season-low 51 points and 34% shooting (18 of 53). Dodge City went 8 of 27 from 3-point range, but had trouble finishing possessions as Hutchinson dominated the glass 49-27 and scored 16 second-chance points.
Neither team led by more than five in the first half. Dodge City briefly controlled the second quarter, pushing in front 18-13, but Hutchinson answered with a closing run that flipped the game. The Blue Dragons finished the half on a 15-8 surge to take a 28-26 lead into intermission, getting a late 3-pointer from Jamya McPherson and steady production inside from Anthon.
Hutchinson created separation in the third quarter. The Blue Dragons outscored Dodge City 16-10 in the period, turning stops into points at the other end and leaning on extra possessions to build a 44-36 lead entering the fourth.
Dodge City made a final push and cut the margin to one at 50-49 after a Manuela Piljevic 3-pointer with 3:47 left, but Hutchinson answered with the next three points and then closed it out at the line. Barber hit four free throws in the final 28 seconds as the Blue Dragons finished the game on a 10-2 stretch.
Katie Duncan added 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals for Hutchinson. KaMyra Barber scored 11 points with eight rebounds and five assists, and Whitney Brown chipped in eight points.
Piljevic led Dodge City with 16 points and eight rebounds, hitting 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Jolie Mantz scored 10 points and Savi Mi added nine for the Conquistadors.
The Blue Dragons travel to Concordia on Saturday to face Cloud County. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Arley Bryant Gymnasium.