PRATT, Kan.- In search of a signature win to build upon, the Beavers may have found exactly that. By defeating 23rd-ranked Hutchinson 85-82 on Wednesday, the Beavers have now won back-to-back games overall, and have taken the last two home meetings against the Dragons. 

Malcolm Whitlow led all players with 28 points, as the Nebraskan was 8-14 from the field, and 4-7 from long range. Whitlow also provided the Beavers with five assists and five rebounds. Julian Eziukwu had his way on the low block, scoring 18 points on 8-13 attempts to go with five rebounds. Tommy Thomas and Cam Morris also finished in double-figures, managing 13 and 11 points, respectively. As well, Morris rejected a career-high five shots. 

The Beavers exchanged a 39-21 rebounding margin with a shooting percentage of nearly 50 percent (29-60). Pratt was also extremely efficient from the charity stripe, connecting on 19 of 23 tries. Coach Flynn's team found success from beyond three-point line too, going 8-23 (35%).

Trailing by as many eight points during the first 20 minutes, a 9-3 Beavers run to end the opening half saw a 38-35 Hutchinson lead entering the break. Then things got crazy. 

The final 20 minutes of play comprised of lead changes, ties and shifts of momentum. The game sat at 55-all with 11 minutes remaining, as the Beavers began to make a push. A 9-2 Pratt run gave the Beavers a 64-57 lead over the next three minutes, though a solid Hutchinson team clawed back, scoring the next five points to narrow the home team's lead to 64-62. A subsequent Beavers run saw the hosts increase their lead to 73-64 with just under four minutes remaining. 

Leading 81-73 with 1:20 remaining, the Beavers nearly fell victim to Hutchinson's press defense. The Dragons defense forced a turnover, which resulted in a quick Josh Baker three-pointer. A foul away from the ball by Carlos Montiel then gave Hutchinson two foul shots after the play, as the Pratt lead shrunk to 81-78. The Beavers then turned the ball over the next two possessions, as the Dragons, once trailing by eight with 80 seconds left, converted the two turnovers into points, capturing a 82-81 lead with 49 seconds to go. 

A Whitlow drive to the rim turned into a Hutchinson foul, as the sophomore made two clutch free throws. The Beavers regained a one-point lead. Baker drove the lane the following Dragons possession, as an acrobatic attempt near the rim saw him lose control of the basketball, which landed out of bounds to give the Beavers late control of the ball. Whitlow then made his next shots at the line after the Dragons were forced to foul. Baker's last-chance shot from three-point range hit front rim, safely landing on hardwood as time expired. 

The Beavers (7-10, 6-10) will host Barton on Saturday, Pratt Community College will honor its departing student-athletes for Sophomore Day. The action will begin at 5:30 pm.