The Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team, ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA, set a school record by scoring 69 points in the first half on Saturday night to pummel Lamar Community College 103-38 in the final women’s game of the 2011 Ramada Thanksgiving Classic at the Sports Arena.
Hutchinson had the sixth-highest point total in team history and posted a tie for the seventh largest margin of victory (65) in team history. It’s the second time that HCC has defeated an opponent by 65 or more points this season.
The Lady Dragons (8-0) posted those numbers by shooting 59.5 percent (25 of 42) in the opening half, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range. But the Lady Dragons dismantled Lamar (7-4) with defense, scoring 30 points of 17 Runnin’ Lope turnovers. Lamar shot just 5 of 24 (20.8 percent) in the opening half.
Hutchinson emphatically ended the record-setting first half with a 32-0 run over the final 8 minutes, 17 seconds of the half. Eight different players scored in that run to lead 69-19 at halftime.
Sophomore Laura Patrick and freshman Jade Herl scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the first half to lead HCC and all 12 players suited up had scored by halftime. Thirty-nine of HCC’s record 69 points in the first half came from the bench.
The Lady Dragons shot better than 50 percent for the second time in three games finishing at 51.4 percent (37 of 72) against the Runnin’ Lopes. HCC was 6 of 15 from 3-point range and 23 of 31 from the foul line.
HCC had a season-high 29 assists on 37 makes. The Lady Dragons out-rebounded Lamar 48-43, committed 16 turnovers, but blocked a season-high nine shots and had 17 steals.
Patrick just missed on a perfect weekend shooting the ball, missing her final shot attempt of the game, but finished with a season-high 19 points on 5 of 6 shooting, including 3 of 3 from 3-point range and 6 of 6 from the foul line. Patrick was 4 of 4 shooting on Friday night against Johnson County. The Hutchinson Central Christian product added three assists and three blocked shots.
Four players scored in double figures. Herl had a season high with 17 points, hitting 2 of 5 from 3-point range. Freshman Aja Sorrells had 11 points, six rebounds and four assists. Freshman Kyrstie Ehm ha d11 points off the bench.
Freshman Kelsey Webber had nine points and a season-high six assists. Sophomore Jackie Patterson had eight points and sophomore Kara Lee scored seven points.
Lamar finished shooting just 18.5 percent – a season’s-best performance by HCC’s defense. Lamar was 10 of 54 from the field, 1 of 15 from the 3-point line and 17 of 27 from the foul line. The Lopes turned the ball over 32 times. HCC scored 44 points off turnovers.
Hailey Owen had 13 points, while leading scorer Maryam Dogo had 10 points and 12 board. Dogo was averaging 20 points per game.
HCC used an early 10-0 run to build a 19-4 lead with 15:15 to play in the opening half. HCC led 37-19 and then went on the 32-0 run to end the half. The run continued in the second half to 37-0 before Dogo’s bucket at the 19:08 mark to snap a scoreless Lamar streak of 9 minutes, 24 seconds.
The Lady Dragons had one more double-figure run, a 15-0 spurt to push the lead to 99-33.
HCC shot only 40 percent in the second half and outscored Lamar 34-19 in the final 20 minutes.
The Lady Dragons will play State Fair Community College and Barclay College on Friday and Saturday in the Airport Steakhouse Classic at the Sports Arena.
GAME NOTES – HCC defeated Hesston College by 66 points (106-40) in the season opener. … HCC is 2-0 against Lamar all time. … The previous season high for a half was 56 against Frank Phillips College on Nov. 18 in Liberal. … HCC’s bench outscored Lamar’s 64-9. … HCC reached 100 points for the 13th time in team history and the ninth in the John Ontjes era.
(HCC Sports Information)