Men's Basketball | 11/25/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. - Behind an outstanding offensive effort in the second half the McPherson men’s basketball team did enough to hold off the Indians of Haskell Indian Nations University, 78-69, Tuesday night at the McPherson Sport Center.
The win improved the Bulldogs to 5-1, while Haskell dropped to 1-7 on the short season. McPherson outscored the Indians 42-36 in the second half on 14-of-28 (50. 0 percent) shooting from the field. Senior guard Mike Reece led MC with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting for his second 20+ point game of the short season. Marlon Dominique chipped in 11, while Aaron Frazier added 10 points off the bench.
As a team, McPherson shot 42.9 percent (30-of-70) in the game, including 23 points of Haskell turnovers. The Bulldogs were also 6-of-21 from three point range (28.6 percent) and 12-of-20 (60.0 percent) from the free throw line.
Haskell shot 37.3 percent in the game, but the Indians hit only 11 of their 38 second half shots (28.9 percent). Dominic Clichee led Haskell with 15 points, while Raymond Whiteshield and Marcellous Hill added 10 each.
It was a fast paced and explosive first half. McPherson jumped to a 23-13 lead with 10:32 left in the half. The run began with a three pointer from Trent Severs and was capped by a Dwayne Thomas layup off a Trent Severs pass through traffic.
The Bulldogs would extend their lead to 11, but Haskell answered the run holding the Bulldogs scoreless for the final 4:09 of the first half, giving the Indians the ability to cut the McPherson lead to three 36-33 at the break.
McPherson would maintain a six to nine point advantage for a majority of the second half, until Clichee, Whiteshield and Tyler Cooper connected on consecutive three pointers to cut the McPherson lead to one, 66-65 with 4:42 remaining.
The Bulldogs quickly swung the momentum back in their favor as Reece completed the three point play after being fouled on his drive to the basket.
Down the stretch, McPherson connected on 3-of-4 free throws to pull away for the nine point victory.
McPherson is back in action Friday against Doane College at the Hastings College Classic. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
