HUTCHINSON, Kan. (BlueDragonSports.com) – Sophomore Hailey Jackson‘s posted career highs in scoring and rebounds to lead the NJCAA top-ranked Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team to its 10th home-opening victory in a row Tuesday night.
Jackson had 30 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Blue Dragon to a 122-70 victory over Neosho County at the Sports Arena, which extended Hutchinson’s program-record win streak to 39 games and home-court winning streak to 18 games.
The Blue Dragons (2-0) will now play the Tabor College JV and Murray State in the BSN Sports Tip-Off Classic on Friday and Saturday at the Sports Arena. Neosho County fell to 1-1.
The 122 points scored were the second-most points ever scored by the Blue Dragons in single-game history, surpassing the 121 points scored against Labette on October 31, 2015. Hutchinson’s 62-point first half was the second-most points scored in a single half in team history.
The 192 combined points was a Blue Dragon single-game record. That broke the old record of 184 points set in a 94-90 victory over Cowley on January 5, 2016 at the Sports Arena.
The Blue Dragons also set three other single-game school records:
+ Forcing Neosho County into 46 turnovers;
+ Making 42 free throws;
+ Taking 58 free-throw attempts.
Jackson posted her second-straight double-double to start the season, going 11 of 16 from the field with a 3-pointer and 7 of 11 from the free-throw line. Jackson tied a career high was four steals and dished out three assists to lead the Blue Dragons.
Jackson led five Blue Dragons to score in double figures against Neosho County
Sophomore Brynne Katcher led a 56-39 scoring advantage in points off the bench with a double-double. Katcher finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Katcher was 6 of 7 shooting in the game.
Freshman Dylan Alexander came off the bench to score 15 points with three assists and two rebounds.
Sophomore Madi Denison had 12 points and six rebounds. Freshman Katie Duncan hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with 11 points. Sophomore Landon Forbes finished with nine points, five assists and three steals. Sophomore Jada Pleasant finished with eight points and career highs of six free throws, seven assists and five steals.
The Blue Dragons shot 50.7 percent for the game (37 of 73), hitting 6 of 21 from the 3-point line. The Dragons out-rebounded Neosho County 58-30 with 24 offensive rebounds. Hutchinson had 31 assists and 18 steals.
Neosho County was led by Tiara Hosumi’s 15 points. Jiyani Thompson closed with 10 points.
The Panthers shot 35.0 percent overall (21 of 60), hitting 9 of 30 from 3-point range and 19 of 31 from the foul line.
The Blue Dragons led 33-19 after the first quarter and 62-41 at halftime. Hutchinson outscored Neosho County 60-39 in the second half.
GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons won their 10th-straight home opener and are now 46-5 all-time in home openers. … This was the 45th time the Blue Dragons have scored 100 points in a game. Forty-one of those games have been with John Ontjes as head coach. … The 31 team assists tied four others for sixth place on Hutchinson’s single-game assist list. … The Blue Dragons are now 29-2 all-time vs. Neosho County with 10 consecutive victories over the Panthers. … Hailey Jackson now has four career double-doubles. … The Blue Dragons out-scored Neosho County 55-22 in points off turnovers and 25-6 in second-chance points. … The Blue Dragons held the lead for 39 minutes, 10 seconds.
