Hutchinson CC Sports Information
Freshman Bo Aldridge posted his second-straight double-double with career highs in both scoring and rebounds to lead the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team to a Jayhawk Conference victory over the Pratt Beavers on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.
Aldridge had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Blue Dragons, who overall struggled offensively, to a 65-59 victory over Pratt.
The Blue Dragons maintained their share of fourth place in the KJCCC and improved to 18-10 overall and 14-8 in the league. The Blue Dragons travel to Seward County Saturday afternoon. Pratt is now 11-19 overall and 7-15 in the league.
Hutchinson shot a season-low 27.4 percent for the game, shooting only 22.2 percent in the first half where the Dragons still managed to lead 27-26 at halftime.
Aldridge was 7 of 19 from the floor, hitting 2 of 5 from 3-point range and 9 of 11 from the free-throw line. Aldridge also had a career-best 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.
Khalil Arnold was the only other Blue Dragon to score in double figures with 12 points. Juvon Gamory hit two 3-point goals and had a season-high eight points. Kobe Smith finished with six points.
The Dragons were 20 of 73 overall shooting, hitting 8 of 29 from 3-point range and 17 of 19 from the free-throw line. The Dragons were out-rebounded 49-48, but had only seven turnovers to Pratt's 15. The Blue Dragons held a 26-7 scoring advantage in points off turnovers.
Pratt shot 35.1 percent for the game (20 of 57), going 2 of 23 from 3-point range and 17 of 26 from the free-throw line.
Aijet Akol had 20 points to lead the Beavers.
Trailing by as many as four points and leading by as many as six points in the first half, the Dragons led 27-26 at halftime.
Hutchinson trailed 44-42 with 11:51 remaining in the second half. Aldridge grabbed the lead right back with a 3-pointer with 10:47 left.
Tied at 49, the Dragons scored five answered points as Smith hit a 3-pointer following a Pratt turnover. Another Beaver miscue led to an Aldridge layup and a 54-49 lead with 6:58 to go.
The Beavers got the game to one possession three different times after that, but the Dragons answered each challenge, sealing the victory with an Arnold jumper with 1:12 to go and two Aldridge free throws with 21 seconds remaining.
GAME NOTES – Bobby Cannon had five blocked shots, his second game of five or more blocks this season. … The Dragons are now 155-28 all-time against Pratt, including 73-12 in games played in Hutchinson. … This was all-time win No. 1,941. … The Dragons are now 10-5 at the Sports Arena this season.