Women's Basketball | 1/5/2010 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – Four Lady Cougars finished in double figures to lead No. 9 Columbia past McPherson, 74-44, at the McPherson Sport Center Monday evening. The game concluded the Bulldogs non-conference schedule.
With the loss, the Bulldogs drop their third straight, moving their record to 4-8 overall, while the Columbia College Lady Cougars improve on their record to 12-1.
Columbia, a division I NAIA opponent, jumped out to an early 12-point lead, 17-5 behind four three-point baskets from forward Kristi Wilkerson. McPherson battled back cutting the Lady Cougars lead to eight midway through the first period, but a 13-3 Columbia run extended the Lady Cougar lead back to 20 points, 37-13 with 4:14 left in the half.
The two sides traded baskets for the remainder of the first half as the Bulldogs entered the locker room down 22, 23-45.
Columbia was red hot from the field in the first half, connecting on 16-of-31 (51.6 percent) from the field, including 7-of-13 from beyond the three-point arc. The Bulldogs struggled offensively in the first half. MC nearly tied a season low connecting on only 9-of-35 (25.7 percent) from the field, but did finish the half 4-of-10 in three-point field goals.
Columbia blew the game open with a 13-6 run over the first eight minutes of the second half to push its lead to 60-29. Columbia would hold the lead the rest of the way as the Lady Cougars defeated McPherson 74-44.
McPherson finished the night 25.7 percent from the field and went 3-of-8 from the free throw line.
Sophomore guard Brooke Weisenburger paced the McPherson offense scoring a team high 11 points and grabbing four rebounds. Weisenburger’s 11 points is just two points below her career high of 13 points. Freshman Shireana Robinson was the only other Bulldog to finish in double digits with 10.
Columbia hit 40.0 percent (26-of-65) from the field and went 13-of-20 from the free throw line. The Lady Cougars also dominated the glass, out rebounding MC, 55-43.
Four Lady Cougars finished in double figures led by Kristi Wilkerson. She finished the night with 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, including 5-of-10 shooting from beyond the three-point arch. Denise Rosario added a strong effort with 13 points, while Widaman chipped in 12 and Oswald 10.
McPherson continues the home stand on Thursday, Jan. 7, when the Bulldogs play host to the Southwestern College Moundbuilders. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
