By DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For the second time in as many games, the No. 21 Blue Dragons (2-0) found themselves trailing early.
Mineral Area (1-1) led by as many as eight with 3:05 left in the first quarter.
Hutchinson held on to a three-point margin at half.
Hutchinson used the first five minutes of the third quarter to pull away. Mineral Area scored only 10 points in the third quarter.
Hutchinson built a 14 point lead with less than 3:30 off the clock in the third frame.
Mya Williams led the Dragons with 24 points in 26 minutes of play. Williams fouled out with more than nine minutes left. The Dragons led by nine when Williams exited and won by the same margin.
FINAL: Hutchinson 75 Mineral Area 66
Tor'e Alford added 12 points and was the only other Dragon to drop double digits. Natalie Payne finished with nine.
Hutchinson had 14 assists on 22 made baskets. Alford led the way with five assists.
The Dragons were outrebounded 36-28.
Mariah Stewart had a double-double for the Cardinals (10 points, 14 rebounds). Nijah Moore scored 14.
The Dragons are home again Saturday night at 5:30.