Men's Basketball | 11/5/2010 10:18:39 PM
Box Score Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – Jordan Crawford (McPherson, Kan.), Aaron Jackson (Junction City, Kan.), Samson Shivers (Houston, Texas) and Mason Hewitt (Norwich, Kan.) each scored double-digit points to lead the McPherson College men’s basketball team to a 77-51 win over Johnson & Wales University (Colo.) Friday evening at the McPherson Sport Center.
"I felt we made some improvements from our first game," said McPherson head coach Tim Swartzendruber. "Our defensive intensity was good and we reduced our turnovers. As this group gets more experience together, I believe we will be better offensively. Overall, I'm pleased with teh win. Johnson & Wales has been to the national tourament the past two seasons."
With the win, McPherson improves to 2-0 on the young season, while JWU falls to 0-1 on the year.
Shivers hit 5-of-9 three pointers and was 2-for-2 from the free throw line to lead the Bulldogs with 17 points, while Jackson recorded 13, Crawford 12 and Hewitt 11.
McPherson opened the game on a 15-3 run capped by a Crawford three-pointer off a pass from Trent Severs. The Wildcats would pull the lead back within seven with, 21-14, with seven minutes remaing in the first half, but that’s as close as they would come as a Shivers three-point basket with time expiring in the first period extended the Bulldog lead to 14, 36-22.
The Bulldog defense held JWU to just 7-of-24 shooting from the field, while MC connected on 13-of-32 attempts (40.6 percent) in the first half.
MC continued its pressure into the second half stretching its lead out to 24 with 14:20 left in the game. The deficit proved too much for the Cougars as McPherson finished strong to gain the 77-51 victory.
McPherson finished the night making 43.3 percent (26-of-60) from the field, while holding JWU to just 30.0 percent (15-of-50). The Bulldogs held a 41-37 rebounding advantage and forced 25 Wildcat turnovers.
Crawford led the team with eight rebounds, while Severs paced the offense with seven assists.
McPherson returns to action Saturday when they travel to Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Bartlesville, Okla.
