Women's Basketball | 11/25/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – For the second game in a row, the McPherson College women’s basketball program found themselves in a knock-down, drag-out battle with No. 25 Haskell Indian Nations University Tuesday night at the McPherson Sport Center. Haskell scored 15 points on 27 free throw attempts to propel themselves past MC, 62-57.
The physical plays started right from the opening tip with McPherson establishing the early momentum, opening the game on a 21-12 run. The Bulldog run was capped by a Kelsey Hempe put back in traffic.
From there, Haskell held the upper hand with a 12-4 run of their own, cutting the McPherson lead to one at the 4:47 mark in the first half. Jamie Eagle Sun led the Indians first half comeback as Haskell battled within one, 24-25, but at the break McPherson held a four point advantage, 29-24.
Junior guard Kristen Ozbun led McPherson with 10 first half points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field. Defensively, the Bulldogs forced 14 first half turnovers that converted into nine McPherson points. MC finished the first half shooting 31.6 percent (12-of-28) from the field, including 27.3 percent (3-of-11) from beyond the three point arch.
The battle ensued in the second half with neither side gaining more than a five point advantage. Haskell guard Justina George connected on a three pointer from the wing to bring the score even at 57-57 with 2:51 remaining. After an Emily James missed jumper, Haskell pushed the ball up for the floor for an open lay-up. The score gave the Indians their first lead in the contest since the 16 minute mark in the first half, 59-57.
With time running out on the Bulldogs, McPherson was forced to foul. The Indians converted only three of their six free throws in the final minute, but it proved to be enough at they took the win, 62-57.
Freshman forward Shirena Robinson led the McPherson offense with her second double double of the season. Robinson finished the night with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Kristen Ozbun chipped in 16 points and five steals in the effort.
As a team, McPherson shot 33.8 percent (22-of-65) from the field, including 33.3 percent (8-of-24) from the three point area. The Bulldogs struggled from the free throw line, connecting on only 5-of-11 (45.5 percent) from the charity stripe.
McPherson returns to action at home Thursday, Dec. 3, when the Bulldogs play host to Kansas Wesleyan University at the McPherson Sport Center. The game will tip off at 6:00 p.m.
