GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team wrapped up its season on Tuesday with a 72-68 loss at No. 20 Barton in the Region VI quarterfinal.
The Blue Dragons committed three turnovers in the final minute, which led to a 9-0 Cougar run to end the game and the Blue Dragons' season.
Hutchinson (20-12) jumped out to a red-hot start to grab a nine-point lead with 15:19 in the first half, matching the largest lead the Blue Dragons had for the game. Barton (23-8) kept chipping away and tied the game up at 38 going into halftime.
The Blue Dragons surrendered the lead for the first time early in the second half and were forced to battle from behind. The Cougars on the other hand extended that lead to eight with 15:07 left in the contest.
Hutchinson knocked down 10 three-point shots in the loss. The 19 Blue Dragon turnovers proved costly, resulting in 22 Barton points. The Cougars connected on 56 percent (28-of-50) of their shots, including 13-of-19 (68 percent) from the foul line. Hutchinson shot 41 percent (25-of-61) from the floor, and 8-of-12 (66 percent) from the line.
Aaron Franklin collected his 10th double-double of the season with a 12-point, 14-rebound game to lead the Blue Dragons. Antonio Green and Aaron Potter each added 11 off the bench for HutchCC. Barton had four players in double figures, led by Cougar Downing's 16 points.
The Cougars advance to the Region VI semifinal against Coffeyville. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday inside the Garvey Center at Friends University.
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