The Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team saw second-half leads of six and 10 points disappear before finally putting Jayhawk East rival Neosho County away in the final 5 minutes, 31 seconds on Friday’s Hutchinson Clinic Classic game at the Sports Arena.
Freshman Alex Davis and sophomore Mark Braden came up big in the second half as Hutchinson defeated Neosho County 75-65, outscoring the Panthers 16-6 over the final 5:31.
“We finally got some rebounds,” HCC head coach Steve Eck said. “We weren’t rebounding the ball at all. We gave up 18 offensive rebounds. To do that and still be in the ballgame says something about your defense. Give credit to Neosho, but we have to get better on the boards.”
Neosho County outrebounded Hutchinson (5-0) 48-38, including 18-8 on the offensive boards that the Panthers cashed in for 19 points.
But Hutchinson’s overall depth wore down on Neosho County, which got into foul trouble. HCC’s bench produced 35 points.
“I think our bench is about as good as anybody’s in the league,” Eck said. “We have a deep bench. I, as a coach need to find a good mix where everybody is together and have the same goal in mind.”
Tied at 59-all with 5:31 to play, the Blue Dragons got five points each from Davis and A.J. Spencer during their final 16-6 run. Neosho County, which was out-shot in the second half 51.9-33.3 percent, finished the game 2 of its final 12 shots.
Davis led four Blue Dragons in double figures with 20 points. Braden just missed a double-double with 16 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
Spencer finished with 13 points and Michael Spease had 10 points.
The Blue Dragons shot 45.5 percent (25 of 55) for the game. HCC was 3 of 10 from 3-point range and 22 of 37 from the free-throw line.
“Depth played a big difference,” They got in foul trouble and we got in some foul trouble, but we were able to substitute a little more and it helped us tonight.”
Chris Patton had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Panthers. Gregoryshon Magee had 16 points and Brett Jones had 10 points.
The Panthers shot 36.1 (26 of 72), including 3 of 16 from 3-point range.
The Blue Dragons will close out the Hutchinson Clinic Classic at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Marshalltown (Iowa). Neosho County will play Redlands at 3:30 p.m.
(HCC Sports Information)