Men's Basketball | 11/21/2010 7:51:08 AM
Box Score
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men’s basketball team needed a last second field goal to edge the Haskell Indian Nations Fighting Indians Saturday night in the final game of the McPherson Classic.
Haskell battled back from a 16-point deficit to tie the game with five seconds remaining 78-78 when Prevon Erving took advantage of a wide-open three-point opportunity. However, the Bulldogs had the last laugh, as Aaron Jackson (Junction City, Kan.) weaved his way through the Indian pressure defense before hooking up with Mason Hewitt (Norwich, Kan.) for the game winning basket. Hewitt, who was also fouled on the play, released the ball just as the buzzer sounded to give McPherson the win.
“I was really proud of our guys,” said McPherson head coach Tim Swartzendruber. “Haskell is much improved and played a great second half. I thought we were mentally fatigued about the last 10 minutes so feel good to get the win.”
With the win, McPherson improves to 6-2 on the season, while the Indians fall to 3-6.
Jackson finished the contest with 18 points and two assists, while fellow guard Aaron Frazier (McPherson, Kan.) matched Jackson’s 18 to go along with six rebounds and five steals. Hewitt posted 14 points, 12 of which in the first half, to round out the Bulldog double-digit scorers.
Marcellous Hill scored a game-high 36 to lead Haskell.
A Jackson triple gave McPherson a 16-point cushion, its largest of the game, with just under 11 minutes to play. However, primarily using trips to the free throw line, Haskell narrowed the gap to two before taking the lead, 73-72 with 2:26 remaining on one of Trey Osborne’s three three-pointers. During the run, Haskell’s Hill scored 14 points.
HINU added another field goal to stretch their lead out to three, but a jumper and layup from Frazier gave McPherson back the advantage with less than a minute left. On the Bulldogs next possession, Jackson would connect on one-of-two free throws to give the Bulldogs a three-point cushion entering the final seconds of the game.
Haskell would tie the score on Erving’s three-pointer before Hewitt’s last second basket gave MC the win.
For the night, McPherson shot 44.8 percent (26-of-58) from the field, including 33.3 percent (6-of-18) from beyond the three-point arc. The Bulldogs scored 24 points off 21 Haskell turnovers.
The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, Nov. 27 when they travel to Platteville, Wisconsin for the UW-Platteville Thanksgiving Classic. McPherson will match up with the host UW-Platteville in their fist game. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
