Blue Dragons return to national tournament seeking second title in three years
Information obtained from HCC officials
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team is heading back to the national stage for the 14th time in program history.
The Blue Dragons (27-6) received an at-large bid to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament Monday, earning the No. 13 overall seed in the 24-team single-elimination field. Hutchinson will face No. 20-seed Williston State (32-1) at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Townsley Law Arena in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
It marks the fifth at-large bid in program history for the Blue Dragons, who are 25-13 all-time in the NJCAA Tournament. That record includes seven trips to the national semifinals and the 2024 national championship.
Hutchinson was one of three Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference teams selected for the tournament. Region 6 champion Butler and Dodge City also earned berths. The Blue Dragons finished as Region 6 runner-up.
Offensively, Hutchinson averages 69.3 points per game while shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from 3-point range. Defensively, the Blue Dragons hold opponents to 55.5 points per game on 35.8 percent shooting.
The Blue Dragons' defense will face a stiff test in Williston State, the nation's top scoring team at 91.2 points per game. The Wranglers shoot 48.6 percent from the field and 34.0 percent from 3-point range while allowing 55.9 points per game.
Tuesday's game will be the first all-time meeting between the two programs. The winner advances to face No. 6-seed Northwest Florida State on Thursday, March 26, at 2:30 p.m.