Dodge City women's basketball opened KJCCC play with a battle against #22 Hutchinson and despite leading a majority of the game the Conquistadors would suffer a tough 72-70 loss. 

The loss is the first of the season for the Conqs moving them to 6-1 on the season and 0-1 in KJCCC action. 

Tight throughout the first six minutes, the Conqs would six and then seven points at 19-12 in the first quarter only to see Hutchinson close out the first stanza on a run and back it to a one-point game at 21-20. In the second quarter, the Conqs would string together another run and migrate the lead back out all the way to nine points at 36-27 but Hutchinson again answered with a run leading to a 36-31 lead for Dodge City at halftime. The second half would be much of the same with each time mounting runs as the Conqs took a double-figure lead at 45-34 for the first double-figure lead of the game, but at the end of three quarters, it was 51-47 Conqs. The lead would sit at 10 with just under three and half minutes left at 68-58 but the Conqs would be outscored 14-4 the rest of the way with Hutchinson getting their final three points to tie the game and take the lead from the free throw line leading to the 72-70 final. 

In the loss, the Conqs shot 37.1% from the floor and hit 13 three-pointers, while Hutchinson shot 42.6% and was 20-30 from the free-throw line. The Conqs' defense did force 24 Blue Dragon turnovers in the contest, but the Conqs would be outrebounded by 10 in the matchup. 

Paris Santacaterina dropped 24 points along with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals to lead the Conqs. Kyriana Jones added 15 points, while Parris Atkins chipped in 11 points along with six assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Layla-J Cameron finished with 11 points and six rebounds. 

The Conqs are back in action on Tuesday, November 21st at 5:30 pm on the road against Colby to continue KJCCC play.