Box Score HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Behind 21 points from Tajae Anderson and a strong all-around performance from Jyrus Freels, the Conquistadors snapped their nine game losing streak by knocking off No. 8 Hutchinson by a score of 72-70 on Saturday night.
 
The Conquistadors out-hustled the Blue Dragons to collect their first win since Nov. 21, as they outrebounded Hutchinson, 48-38 while grabbing 13 offensive rebounds.
 
Along with Anderson's career-high 21, Justice Dixon added 13 points while Freels collected a double-double on the day with 10 points and 16 rebounds.
 
The Conquistadors came out on fire in the first half, beginning the game on a 9-2 run and forcing the Blue Dragons to call their first timeout just four minutes into the game.  
 
After the Conqs shooting slowed down, Hutchinson began to find their stroke, but the Conqs were able to hold their lead as Tajae Anderson knocked down a mid-range jumper with 12 minutes to play to lead, 16-9.
 
The Blue Dragons were able to cut the lead to two, but Dodge City was able to hold strong and keep the lead at the media timeout, 20-16. With 6:24 to play in the half, Bruce Hodges was able to finish a layup over the top of the Blue Dragon defender and push their lead back to 27-20.
 
Hutchinson looked to be gaining momentum, but Hodges was able to hit a huge three followed by a layup from Justice Dixon to give Dodge City a 10 point lead with three minutes to play in the half.
 
The Conquistadors held strong for the rest of the first half, taking a 36-28 lead into the locker room.
 
Early in the second half the Blue Dragons found their rhythm as the Dragons cut the lead to one, but Dixon then knocked down a clutch three to put them back up by four.
 
The Blue Dragons then sped up the Conquistadors and forced back-to-back turnovers to take their first lead of the game, 43-41. Both teams battled for the next five minutes as the Dragons were able to extend their lead to 53-46 with 10:48 to play.
 
With just over seven minutes to play and the Conquistadors down 59-52, McCray hit two free throws and Anderson was able to knock down another three to cut the lead back to two points late in the game.
 
With just five minutes to play, Dixon was able to find Freels underneath to tie the game at 61. Freels continued with the hot hand on the very next possession to give the Conqs their first lead since 13:47 left in the second half.
 
The Conquistadors continued to go to Freels late as Dixon found him once more as the shot clock expired to give the Conquistadors a four-point lead with 2:56 to play.
 
With 57 seconds left in the game the Conquistadors missed two free throws, but the Blue Dragons threw the ball away and gave the ball right back to the Conqs.
 
With Dodge City up by five late, the Blue Dragons cut the lead to two, but could not knock down the shot to tie the game and the Conquistadors held on to win 72-70.
 
Dodge City is now 6-11 overall on the year and moves to 4-9 in conference play. They will be in action at 7:30 on Wednesday as they host Cloud Community College. Dodge City won the first meeting in a nail biter, 71-70.