Freshman Anthony Thomas posted his second double-double of the season and the Blue Dragon defense was again stingy as the 13th-ranked Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team won its eight straight game to start the season with an 87-61 victory over Central Nebraska on the opening night of the Ramada Thanksgiving Classic.
Thomas had a game-high 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds to lead the Blue Dragons, who limited an opponent to less than 40 percent shooting for the sixth time in eight games.
HCC’s defense held Central Nebraska, ranked 13th in NJCAA Division II, to 33.3 percent shooting (19 of 57), just 11 of 36 (30.6 percent) in the second half. The Raiders (7-1) were 3 of 21 from 3-point range and committed 24 turnovers – HCC totaled a season-high 15 steals – which the Blue Dragons converted into 28 points.
Led by Thomas, four Hutchinson players scored in double figures.
Sophomore Mark Braden scored 13 points with four rebounds and three steals. Freshman Alex Davis came off the bench to score 13 points. Freshman A.J. Spencer also came off the bench to score 10 points.
After shooting only 35 percent in the first half, the Blue Dragons finished shooting a season-low 41.6 percent (32 of 77), going only 2 of 18 from 3-point range. The Dragons did shoot 21 of 27 from the free-throw line.
HCC committed 15 turnovers and out-rebounded an opponent for the first time in four games, out-boarding the Raiders 53-39.
Dre Henley led Central Nebraska with 14 points. Derrick Strong and Abou Diop had 10 points and nine rebounds.
HCC used an early 10-0 run to build an 11-3 lead with 16:54 to play. Still leading 21-15, Jed Seketera buried a 3-pointer and Hassan Farah scored to cut the HCC lead to 21-20 with 8:48 remaining in the opening half.
The Blue Dragons responded, allowing Central Nebraska only one field goal in the final eight minutes and using a 21-6 run to close the half. With Hutchinson leading 37-26, the Dragons score the final three baskets of the half from Rozell Nunn, a 3-pointer from Michael Spease and a Davis layup – all three baskets came from Spencer assists – and the Dragons led 42-26 at halftime.
The Dragons shot nearly 49 percent in the second half (17 of 35) and steadily pulled away, eventually building a game-high 29-point lead at 87-58 with 31 seconds remaining in the game.
Hutchinson will close out the Ramada Thanksgiving Classic at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday against Murray State College.
GAME NOTES – HCC has won all 10 games played against Central Nebraska. … The win was all-time victory No. 1,580. … The Blue Dragon bench produced 42 points.
(HCC Sports Information)