LIBERAL – Sophomore Chelsea Small posted her third double-double of the season as the third-ranked Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team cruised past Frank Phillips College 101-67 in the first game of the Billy’s/Days Inn Classic at Seward County’s Green House.
Small scored a career-high 22 points on 10 of 13 shooting and had 11 rebounds to lead the Lady Dragons (5-0).
Small helped Hutchinson scored the ninth-most points in team history and break the 100-point plateau for the second time this season.
The Lady Dragons dominated statistically, shooting a season-high 56.9 percent from the field (41 of 72). HCC also pulled down 60 or more rebounds for the second-straight game, out-rebounding Frank Phillips 62-26. HCC also tied a season high with 28 assists.
Hutchinson jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game. Frank Phillips (4-3) cut the lead to six, but HCC lead 45-27 at halftime shooting 52.6 percent from the field (20 of 38). The Plainsmen cut HCC’s lead to 49-40 with 17:32 to play, but sophomore Lanicia Lawrence answered the FPC run with a 3-point goal, which started a 16-6 run over the next 4 minutes to put the game away.
Hutchinson shot 61.8 percent (21 of 34) in the second half to outscore the Plainsmen 52-27 after the lead was cut to nine points.
For HCC players scored in double figures led by Small.
Sophomore All-American Jackie Patterson had 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting with seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
Twin sister Jasmine Patterson just missed a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Laura Patrick scored 12 points with seven rebounds, five assists, two blocked shots and a steal.
Freshman Aja Sorrells tallied nine points, six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Alysse Barlow had eight points and five assists. Lawrence scored seven points with a game-high seven assists and five rebounds.
HCC was just 3 of 10 from the 3-point line and only 16 of 27 from the foul line. HCC also turned the ball over 20 times.
Hutchinson had to survive a 3-point barrage by the Plainsmen, who hit 11 treys in 36 attempts. Both marks are season highs against the Lady Dragons. Overall, Frank Phillips shot just 30.4 percent (21 of 69) and was 14 of 19 from the free-throw line. FPC turned the ball over 17 times.
Shardena Hudson and LaChrista Nash had 17 points each to lead the Plainsmen. Kinjita Kelley had 11 points.
The Lady Dragons will play South Plains College at 2 p.m. on Saturday to close out its trip to Western Kansas. The game can be seen on the Blue Dragon Sports Network beginning at 1:45 p.m. South Plains was defeated by No. 14 Seward County 74-44.
GAME NOTES – The Lady Dragons are 5-0 to start a season for the 18th time in team history. … HCC is 3-0 all-time vs. Frank Phillips College. … The 101 points were the most points scored in series history. … It’s the 12th time in program history and eighth time in the John Ontjes era to break 100 points.
(HCC Sports Information)