by Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team shot 64 percent in the opening half and totally overwhelmed the Neosho County Panthers on Wednesday night at the Sports Arena.
The Blue Dragons posted the second-highest scoring half in program history, scoring 68 points in the first two quarters. Leading by 46 points at halftime, No. 8 Hutchinson cruised to a 111-53 Jayhawk Conference victory over the Panthers.
Hutchinson improves to 10-1 overall and 3-0 in the Jayhawk West heading into Saturday’s showdown with Butler at El Dorado. Neosho County is 5-4 overall and 0-2 in the Jayhawk East.
Sophomore Makayla Vannett (Ojibwe) had career highs of 25 points and seven 3-point goals. Her 3-point performances tied for the seventh-best single-game performance in team history.
Vannett hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter as Hutchinson shot 59.1 percent in building a 32-13 lead after 10 minutes. She knocked down two more to lead the Blue Dragons to a 36-9 second period. The Dragons shot a sizzling 70.6 percent (12 of 17) in the second period.
Hutchinson led Neosho County 68-22 by halftime. The Blue Dragons held the Panthers to 9 of 40 shooting (22.5 percent) and forced 13 Neosho County turnovers in the first half.
The Blue Dragons posted their third-highest scoring game in team history and the 58-point margin of victory was the largest in series history with Neosho County. The Blue Dragons set a single-game record with 35 team assists on 43 made baskets. Hutch’s 64 team rebounds tied for the fifth most in single-game Hutchinson history.
A season-high six players scored in double figures for the Blue Dragons.
Gelecia Cooper scored a career-high 18 points on 8 of 12 shooting. She scored 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Abby Ogle flirted with a triple-double, scoring 16 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals. This was Ogle’s third game of seven or more assists this season.
Tor’e Alford scored 16 points on 3 of 8 3-point shooting with five assists and two steals.
Nafatoumata Haidara and Sasha Francis had 11 points each. Haidara also had nine rebounds. Lauryn Mapusua tied a career high with eight rebounds and Kyra Paniora had a career-best six assists.
The Blue Dragons shot better than 50 percent for the second time this season, shooting 53.1 percent (43 of 81), hitting 12 of 27 3-pointers and 13 of 20 from the free-throw line. The Dragons owned a 64-37 rebounding advantage.
