HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A strong first-half performance helped the No. 13-ranked Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team rebound from its first loss of the season with a 78-61 victory over Neosho County on Saturday in the BSN Sports Tipoff Classic at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
After falling to NEO A&M on Friday, the Blue Dragons (3-1) responded by outscoring the Panthers 46-34 in the first half and putting together a dominant 22-6 third quarter to take full control.
Freshman KaMyra Barber led Hutchinson with 15 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Noelle Anthon added 13 points on 6 of 7 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. Freshman Whitney Brown finished with 13 points and a team-high four assists and four steals. Sophomore Katie Duncan chipped in 10 points and three assists.
Hutchinson shot 39.4 percent from the field and held a 54-46 advantage on the boards while assisting on 20 of its 26 made field goals.
Neosho County (1-3) was led by Azura Clark, who scored 11 points off the bench. Jaida Harris and Laynie Winfrey each added seven points, while Janae Davis had nine points and five rebounds. The Panthers shot just 25.3 percent from the floor and committed 29 turnovers.
Hutchinson led 46-34 at halftime, then used a 22-6 surge in the third quarter to build a 28-point lead. Neosho County outscored the Dragons 21-10 in the fourth, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
The Blue Dragons return to action next weekend when they host the HutchCC Women's Classic at the Sports Arena. Hutchinson opens play against Murray State College at 6 p.m. Friday.