Barber scores 23 as No. 19 Hutchinson holds off Colby rally
Information obtained from HCC officials
COLBY, Kan. – Hutchinson Community College's women's basketball team held Colby scoreless for more than eight minutes of the fourth quarter Saturday, Jan. 3, turning a tied game into a 64-55 Jayhawk Conference victory at the Colby Event Center.
The No. 19 Blue Dragons (12-3, 7-2 KJCCC) stifled the Trojans' offense for the first 8 minutes, 23 seconds of the final period after the teams entered the fourth quarter deadlocked at 50-50.
Freshman KaMyra Barber tied her career high with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. She added seven rebounds and four assists.
Hutchinson led 47-34 with 6:25 remaining in the third quarter before Colby rallied with a 16-3 run to force the tie heading into the fourth.
The Blue Dragons' defense dominated the final period, holding the Trojans to 1-of-6 shooting while forcing eight turnovers. Colby didn't score until free throws with 1:37 remaining and went without a field goal for 12 minutes, 50 seconds spanning the third and fourth quarters. The five points allowed matched an opponent season low for any quarter.
Sophomore Katie Duncan added 18 points and sophomore Noelle Anthon contributed 10 points with a career-best five assists. Freshman Whitney Brown had six points and five assists.
Hutchinson shot 46.6% (27-of-58) for the game and scored 19 points off 14 offensive rebounds despite even rebounding at 29-29.
Dessirae Ulmer led Colby (6-8, 3-5) with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Olivia Hultgren scored 14 points. The Trojans shot 45.9% but committed 20 turnovers.
The victory extended Hutchinson's winning streak against Colby to 23 consecutive games and marked the Blue Dragons' 550th KJCCC victory in program history.
Hutchinson will host Coffeyville at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Sports Arena.