The Seward County Saints lost their homecoming game to the Hutchinson Blue Dragons 57-54 Saturday afternoon in the Green House. The Saints drop their 10th straight game. It was the Hall of Fame Day in the Green House as men’s basketball’s Dale Reed and Melvin Sanders, volleyball’s Jelena Simic, and women’s basketball’s Mollie Mounsey were inducted into the Saints Athletics Hall of Fame.
The Saints were sluggish early in the game as the Blue Dragons took a lead of 21-8 and led 23-10 before Hutch led 25-18 after a sleepy first half. The Blue Dragon lead ballooned to 17 at 50-33. That’s when Seward began their run. The Saints cut the lead to 54-50 with two minutes remaining after Loic Affouman made a three and Muhammed Jobe sank two free throws for a five point play. Seward trailed by one 55-54 with a chance to take the lead but a traveling violation in the lane foiled Seward’s chance. The Saints out scored the Dragons 36-32 in the second half.
Seward shot 37 percent from the field going 3-13 from three. Seward was 15-17 at the foul line. Hutchinson shot 53 percent from the field including 62 percent in the second half. HCC was 5-15 from three and 4-8 from the foul line. Hutch out-rebounded Seward 29-26. Hutch had 14 turnovers and SCCC had 11.
Muhammed Jobe was Epic Touch Player of the Game with 22 points and five rebounds. Loic Affoumon had 14 points and seven rebounds. Benni Kazadi had eight points and seven rebounds.
Hutch beats Seward for an 11th straight time. Hutchinson is 19-10 overall and 15-8 in the Jayhawk. Seward ties the school record for losses in a season with a 3-25 record. The 1978 team went 4-25. Seward is 2-21 in the Jayhawk. Seward hosts Garden City for their final game and Sophomore Recognition Night Wednesday at 8 on 107.5. Sharp-McQueen is the buyout sponsor.