By Bailey Terry
The Blue Dragon basketball team played the Broncbusters of Garden City at home for the opening round of the Region VI tournament on Feb. 28.
They won 70-68 and will advance on in the tournament. The Dragons’ record is now 25-6 overall.
Bashier Ahmed, Bronx, N.Y., had his eighth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Ahmed was 8 for 9 from the free throw line.
DeShawn Freeman, Rocky Mount, N.C., had his thirteenth double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Austin Budke, Beloit, scored 14 points, while Akbar Hoffman, Newark, N.J., scored 12 points.
Hutch shot 38% overall, 4 for 14 from beyond the arc, and 22 for 32 from the foul line.
As the game started, the Dragons went on a run of 10-2 with 15 minutes remaining.
Hutch’s lead grew, 25-11 with eight minutes remaining in the half.
The Broncbusters got as close as seven points in the first half, 27-22, with just under five minutes to go.
To finish the half, the Dragons went on another run of 8-2.
As the buzzer went off for halftime, Hutch was up 37-25.
The Dragons had to battle through turnovers, so they were unable to extend the lead by more than 11 points.
With 14 minutes remaining in the game, the Dragons were up 47-36.
The Broncbusters were able to come back from the deficit and went on a 10-2 run pulling within two points, 49-47 with 11 minutes to go.
Garden City stayed with the Dragons for the remainder of the half, staying within one point.
With Hutch ahead 66-65 and just under two minutes to go, Garden City shot and missed and the Dragons deflected the rebound.
Freeman ran after the ball and threw it to Budke, who then completed a three-point play, making the basket and the free throw.
The Dragons held the lead 69-65 with one minute to go.
A Garden City player made a three to pull within one, but the Dragons immediately answered.
Budke was fouled and made one of two free throws to end the game.
The Dragons are scheduled to play Coffeyville on March 5 at 7 p.m. in Wichita at the Charles Koch Arena.
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