Women's Basketball | 11/18/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women’s basketball team outscored cross-town rivals, Central Christian College Lady Tigers, 36-14 in the second half to propel themselves to a 65-47 victory Tuesday night inside the McPherson College Sport Center.
Junior guard Kristen Ozbun led McPherson in scoring for the third time in this short season with a season high 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, including 2-of-4 from beyond the three-point arch. The 5-6, Rose Hill, Kan. Native also chipped in five rebounds and four assists in the effort. Freshman Shireana Robinson had another productive game, grabbing seven rebounds, blocking two shots and scoring nine points, respectively.
McPherson opened the game with an 11-4 run that spanned the first five plus minutes of the first half, capped by an Ozbun three-pointer with the shot clock running down.
Central never let up, putting together a 10-3 run of their own to tie the score at 14 apiece with a little over 10 minutes left in the first half. McPherson pushed their lead back to five, 29-24, late in the half. The Tigers could not be held down, scoring eight straight points to finish the half, including a three-point basket with two seconds remaining to take a 33-29 first half lead.
McPherson struggled offensively in the first half. The Bulldogs shot a dismal 10-of-35 (28.6 percent) from the field, including 6-of-13 (46.2 percent) from the foul stripe. Ozbun led McPherson in scoring with 10 first half points.
Behind timely scoring and aggressive defense, McPherson came out looking like an inspired team in the second half, outscoring their opponent 36-14. The Bulldogs chipped away at the Central lead, eventually tying to game at 41-41 with 11:43 left. McPherson never let up, finishing the game on a 24-6 run capped by an Amy Jantz three-pointer with 35 seconds remaining.
McPherson finished the game 24-of-72 (33.3 percent) from the field. The Bulldogs aggressive defense forced the Lady Tigers into 23 turnovers, which converted into 17 McPherson points. McPherson held a slight, 56-50, edge in rebounding.
McPherson returns to action Saturday, Nov. 21 as they travel to Lawrence, Kan. to take on the Haskell Indian Nations University Fighting Indians. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.
