By DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
CONCORDIA, Kan. — No. 17 Hutchinson (7-1) broke away in the second half to win on the road against Cloud County (4-3).
The Dragons led the Thunderbirds by just two at the break.
Hutchinson trailed 27-26 after one quarter, thanks in part to 8 of 13 free throws made by Cloud County. The Dragons made good on 3 of 5 tosses from the charity stripe in the first frame.
Mya Williams had 17 points at halftime.
The Dragons shot 82.5% from the free throw line on 40 total attempts.
Mele Kailahi took 17 free throws and tied a Dragon single-game record with 16 makes.
Kailahi finished the game with a career-high 26 points.
Williams scored 27 career-high points and made all six of her free throws.
Cloud County led by as many as three early in the second quarter.
The Dragons built a seven-point lead less than two minutes into the third quarter and never looked back.
Hutchinson took a 19-point lead with 2:05 remaining.
FINAL: Hutchinson 89 Cloud County 74
Rori Cox led Cloud County with 16 points.