HUTTO – The Hutto Hippos varsity boys basketball team dropped a 65-52 decision to the Round Rock Dragons on Friday, Jan. 2, at Hutto High School.
Hutto struggled out of the gate as Round Rock jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the opening minutes. Senior guard Malachi Hilby helped settle the Hippos offensively, scoring Hutto’s first four points to cut the deficit to 8-4.
Hilby later tied the game at 8 with a midrange jumper, but the Dragons quickly regained control. Round Rock responded with an 8-0 run to pull ahead 16-8 and continued to build momentum, sending Hutto into the second quarter trailing 22-13.
The Hippos found their rhythm offensively in the second quarter and slowly worked their way back into the game. Hutto briefly took a 29-28 lead during the period and used that surge to carry a 38-34 advantage into halftime.
That momentum proved short-lived, however, as Round Rock controlled the third quarter. The Dragons opened the second half with an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead at 42-38 and never looked back. Round Rock closed the quarter on an 11-2 run, building a commanding 53-40 lead heading into the fourth.
Hutto struggled with shooting efficiency and foul trouble in the third quarter, allowing the Dragons to create separation and dictate the pace of play.
The deficit proved too much to overcome in the final period, as Round Rock maintained its lead and secured the double-digit victory.
The Hippos fell to 8-14 and 1-3 in district as it returned to action against Stony Point on Tuesday and will host Vandegrift on Friday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. at Hutto High School.
