HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Daleron Thomas scored 19 points and Chudier Dorar posted his second career double-double as Hutchinson snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 67-61 win over No. 24 Dodge City on Wednesday night at the Sports Arena.
The Blue Dragons earned their first win since Jan. 7, improved to 11-14 overall and 6-13 in the KJCCC, and completed a season sweep of the Conquistadors after winning 82-66 on Dec. 10.
Hutchinson controlled the game early, building a double-digit lead before halftime behind efficient shooting and a strong start from Thomas. The Blue Dragons shot 43.9% (25 of 57) for the game and took their largest lead at 14.
Dodge City never led by more than four and spent most of the night trying to chip away at Hutchinson’s cushion. The Conquistadors cut a 14-point deficit to three several times in the second half, including a late surge fueled by Andrew Mabry’s 3-pointers.
Mabry hit back-to-back 3s in the final 1:47 to pull Dodge City within 64-61, but Hutchinson answered on the other end. Anthony Alston knocked down a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left to seal it.
Dorar finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks for Hutchinson. Bobby Cannon added 10 points and eight rebounds, while Alston scored eight points off the bench and hit two 3s.
Rickey Loftin II led Dodge City with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists. Derrick Rivers added 11 points, though he shot 2 of 13 from the field and 0 of 6 from 3-point range. Brad Johnson scored 10 points, and Mabry had 14 off the bench on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Dodge City shot 34.8% (23 of 66) and went 4 of 21 from 3-point range. Hutchinson was 7 of 19 from deep and finished 10 of 13 at the free-throw line.
The Blue Dragons travel to Concordia on Saturday to face Cloud County, with tipoff scheduled for 4 p.m. in Arley Bryant Gymnasium.