HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College used a dominant defensive stretch and an 18-0 run to pull away from Labette Community College in a 79-55 win Wednesday night at the Sports Arena.
With the victory, the Blue Dragons improved to 5-1, while the Cardinals fell to 2-5.
Hutchinson closed the first half on a strong surge, but its best work came spanning the halves. Labette did not score from the 0:45 mark of the first half until the 12:53 mark of the second, a drought of over eight minutes of game time. During that span, the Blue Dragons ripped off an 18-0 run to turn a tight game into a comfortable lead.
Freshman Chudier Dorar led Hutchinson with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding seven rebounds and a block. Sophomore Kyrell Shaw added 15 points and hit a pair of 3-pointers, and sophomore Asher Boney posted his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Blue Dragons dominated the glass 46-25, including 13 offensive rebounds, and shot 48.5% from the floor.
Bobby Cannon provided a lift off the bench with nine points and seven rebounds, while Daleron Thomas and Anthony Alston each knocked down two 3-pointers.
Labette was led by Josiah Harris, who scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Tre Paige added 13 points, and Mukadi Mukoma chipped in six. The Cardinals hit 10 3-pointers but shot just 35.7% overall and were held to 21 points in the second half.
Hutchinson will host Garden City on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in the Jayhawk Conference opener at 7:30 p.m.