Men's Basketball | 11/15/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men’s basketball team finished on a 25-12 run to hold off the Broncos of Hastings College 82-69 at the McPherson College Sport Center Saturday night.
The win improves the Bulldogs to 3-1, while Hastings drops to 3-1.
“Hastings is a very good team. This was a nice win for our group,” said McPherson head coach Tim Swartzendruber. “I was really pleased with how we finished the game. I thought our bench was a factor again tonight. Dwayne Thomas played very inspired and that certainly made a difference.”
Senior forward Dwayne Thomas led McPherson with 18 points and six rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and 8-of-12 from the free throw line. Fellow seniors Antowine Lamb and Charles Moore also scored in double-digits. Lamb finished with 16, while Moore ended the contest with 13 points.
McPherson finished the night 30-of-55 (54.5 percent) from the floor, including 21-of-32 (65.5 percent) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs struggled from beyond the three-point arc, connecting on only 2-of-13. McPherson held a slight edge in rebounding 39-35 and forced 17 turnovers by Hastings. McPherson also committed 13 turnovers, as all 14 Bulldogs suited up saw action.
Hastings finished the contest 24-of-60 (40.0 percent) from the field, but went just 7-of-29 from three-point range and 14-of-25 from the free throw line as McPherson’s aggressive defense took away the Broncos threat from beyond the arch.
McPherson’s offense exploded at the start as the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 16-5 lead.
After trading the next couple of baskets, Hastings went on a 12-0 run of their own to take a one point lead, 29-28, with 5:59 left in the half. Senior guard Waid Vontz led the charge connecting two three pointers and 3-of-4 free throws during the run.
McPherson entered the half with a three-point lead, 35-32.
The Bulldogs opened the second half much like the opened the game, extending their three point lead out to 11. The run was capped by a Charles Moore put back off a McPherson missed jumper.
However, the Bulldogs could not keep the Broncos down as they tied the game on a Derrik Spooner three throw with 6:12 remaining.
In the end, the Bulldog offensive attack proved to be too much as McPherson finished the contest on a 25-12 run.
McPherson returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 17 when they host the Central Christian College Tigers. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. inside the McPherson Sport Center.
