GREAT BEND, Kan. — No. 1 Hutchinson (7-0, 1-0) returned to Great Bend for the third time in five days, this time to open conference play against Barton (4-3, 0-1).
In just her third start of the season, Regina Donanu led the Cougars with a career-high 15 points at halftime.
Hutchinson hit just 1-of-8 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes and trailed Barton by seven at the break.
Kahlen Norris scored all 12 of her points in the second half and Brynne Katcher added another 10 to her total 12 as the Dragons outscored the Cougars 35-12 in the final 20 minutes.
Barton went scoreless for 13 minutes and 27 seconds in the second half as Hutchinson surged to a 21-point lead with 3:34 to play.
Hailey Jackson scored 11 of her team-high 13 in the first half and added seven rebounds.
The Dragons held Donanu to two points in the second half and 1-of-5 shooting.
The Dragons caught fire from deep in the fourth quarter and hit 4-of-5 triples.
FINAL: Hutchinson 59 Barton 43
Hutchinson has now won 44-straight games, 29-straight in conference play.
The Dragons head to Goodland Saturday to face Fort Hays Tech Northwest (formerly Northwest Kansas Tech).