CCC Lady Trojans get blown-out at home

Colby Trojan Sofia Lopez looking for a tough bucket against Hutchinson’s Interior

            Jan. 29 the Colby Community College Lady Trojans hosted the defending NJCAA D1 Women’s basketball champions.  The Hutchinson Blue Dragons went 37-0 last season on their way to win a national title in overtime.  Many of the freshmen from that team were playing at the Colby Event Center when the Blue Dragons beat the Trojans 84-57.

            The Trojans fell behind early seeing an 8-0 deficit in the early stages of the quarter.  Credit to the Blue Dragon defense as they were able to collapse into the paint preventing most drives.  The Trojan offense struggled through the first falling behind 22-9 after the Blue Dragons were able to hit 3 three-pointers, with five players getting a basket.    

            The game started to slip away in the second for the Trojans as they struggled to prevent Hailey Jackson from taking over the paint.  Jada Pleasant caught firing hitting 3 three-pointers while Katie Duncan hit two in the second quarter to pull the Blue Dragons ahead. 

            Ishante Suttington put on a gritty display for the Trojans trying to keep Colby in the game.  She attacked the paint looking for contact and found it, but there were too many bodies in the way sending her to the line for two shots.  She went 5-8 from the line before halftime. 

Trojan Ishante Suttington shooting over Hutchinson’s Hailey Jackson

            The Blue Dragons kept their foot on the gas in the third as they pounded the Trojan defense, with four players finding the scoreboard.  The Trojans continued to grind forward, but they were unsuccessful in closing the lead ending the third quarter 62-40. 

            Without showing any quit, the Trojans continued to work at the lead, but they didn’t have an answer for Jackson.  She led last year’s team to the national title, and she showed why at Colby. 

Hutchinson’s Hailey Jackson was in control of the paint on both ends of the floor.

            Maintaining great position throughout the game, Jackson was able to control the interior on defense eliminating any open looks for the Trojans.  She also came in clutch in several moments when the Blue Dragon offense broke down, she saved them with a great offensive rebound and putback.

            Jackson finished the game with 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Pleasant had 15 points for the Blue Dragons.  The Trojans were led by Dessirae Ulmer with 22 points and 6 rebounds, followed by Suttington with 17 points. 

            Next, the Trojans will be hosting Garden City Community College on Feb. 1 at the Colby Event Center.