March 1, 2006
SAINTS CAN'T HOLD LEAD IN FINAL MINUTES AGAINTS HUTCHINSON
The Seward County Community College men’s basketball team continued their erratic Jayhawk West Conference season last night, when Hutchinson Community College fought back late in the second-half to defeat the Saints 61-59, on SCCC Sophomore Recognition Night at the Green House.

Seward County (20-9, 6-9 Jayhawk West) opened the game flat and it showed as Hutchinson blew past the Saints in the first period out scoring them 34-28 at half-time. Hutchinson shot 50 percent (15-for-30) from the field in the first-half, while taking a six point lead into the second period.

Hutchinson’s (17-11, 9-6) lead didn’t last long into the second period as the Saints came out of the locker room looking like a different team. The Saints tied the game, 34-34 at the 17 minute mark and would take the lead from Hutchinson three minutes later (37-35).

Seward County ’s defense seemed unstoppable as the Saints held Hutchinson without a field goal for the first 12 minutes of the second-half. Hutchinson connected on two free throws in a 12 minute span where Seward County scored 17 points and led the game 45-36, before Hutchinson ’s first basket with 8:27 left in the game.

The Saints continued to play strong in the final minutes of the game, as SCCC freshman guard, Michael Tyree (14 points), paced Seward County with multiple big shots down the stretch.

With two minutes remaining in the game, Hutchinson forward, Nate Brumfield (13 points), gave the Blue Dragons the lead back after converting an old fashion three-point play. Brumfield made a tough lay-up with several Saints defenders surrounding him under the basket and then connected on the free-throw, giving Hutchinson a 60-59 lead.

Seward County then had the basketball with less than 30 seconds remaining with a chance to take the lead. Saints freshman, Theron Wilson received a pass from Tyree with: 08 remaining on the clock. Wilson took the ball to the goal strong but was charged with an offensive foul, turning the ball back over to Hutchinson with: 05 on the clock.

Hutchinson would then give the ball back to the Saints after being whistled for a five-second violation while passing the ball into play. The Saints had a chance to win the game with the ball underneath their own basket, but Seward threw the ball in bounds and the pass was deflected and Brumfield gained possession and was fouled.

Nate Brumfield then hit one free-throw before a last second three-point attempt by Jerrell Green hit the back of the rim, ending the game with the Saints dropping their ninth Jayhawk West game this season.

Adam Tanner scored 10 points with six rebounds while Keith Spencer scored six points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds. Hutchinson was also led by Stephen DuCharme (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Terry Jeffries (11 points).

Seward County will finish their regular season this Saturday, March 4, at Barton County Community College . The Saints and Cougars will tip-off at 8:00 p.m. The Jayhawk West Conference game will not count in Region VI Playoff standings, due to Barton County being ineligible for Region VI play this season. Wednesday’s loss leaves the Saints at 5-9 overall in the West standings before the First Round Playoff seedings are determined.

It is likely that the Saints will receive the No. 7 or No. 8 seed in the Jayhawk West Conference. The No. 7 seed (Jayhawk West) would send the Saints to play at Jayhawk East No. 2 seed Independence C.C. (27-2, 15-2) who is ranked No. 10 in the NJCAA Top 20 poll. The No. 8 seed in the Western Division will travel to Coffeyville C.C. (26-3, 17-0)  to take on the Ravens who are ranked No. 7 in the nation.

Seward County will not know what seed they will receive until Saturday night, after Cloud County C.C. visits Garden City C.C. A Garden City victory will put the Saints into the No. 8 position, while a Garden City loss, would give the Saints a tie breaker over the Broncbusters (head-to-head competition) and give SCCC the No. 7 seed in the West.

BOX SCORE:
Hutchinson 61 at. Seward County 59 (Liberal, Kansas)