CASPER, Wyo. — The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team outscored Cochise (AZ) by nine in the second half to come-from-behind and win, 59-54.
The Blue Dragons advance to the quarterfinals of the national tournament and will play the winner of New Mexico and Trinity Valley (TX) on Friday at 1 p.m. CT in the Ford Wyoming Center.
Hutchinson (34-0) had a two-point lead with 2:47 to play in the first quarter, but would not lead again until 1:42 mark in the third quarter following an Akaysha Muggeridge 3-pointer. The Blue Dragons led 44-41 after three quarters of play.
The Apaches' largest lead of the game was nine points in the second quarter, while the Blue Dragons' largest advantage was eight in the final seconds of the ballgame.
Cochise (26-8) scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to take a 45-44 lead. The Blue Dragons scored six straight to go in front 53-49, before the Apaches got within 53-51 with 1:28 to play.
After a HutchCC timeout, Jayhawk Conference and Region VI Most Valuable Player Kiki Smith stepped up big. The freshman from Topeka scored on a layup to push the lead to four, but that wasn't it.
Smith then picked up a steal and scored to push the lead to 57-51 with 53 seconds left. Smith scored all 11 of her points in the fourth quarter, seven in the final 2:06.
Hailey Jackson led the Blue Dragons with 16 points, while Journey Armstead finished with 12 and Smith 11.
Cochise was led by Ali Hardwell with 17 points, Clara Gonzalez scored 16.
The Blue Dragons are now 21-12 all-time in national tournament games and are 4-2 in second round games. John Ontjes improves his record to 18-10 as the head coach of the Blue Dragons in the national tourney.
Friday's national quarterfinal game can be heard exclusively on Hutchinson's #1 Hit Music Station, My 93-1 (KHMY-FM) with pregame coverage starting at 12:45 p.m. CT. with Sean Boston.