Women's Basketball | 12/10/2010 3:23:08 PM
Game 13: McPherson College (3-9, 1-2) at Friends University (7-5, 1-2)
Saturday, December 11, 2010 | 5:00 p.m. | Wichita, Kan. | Garvey Center
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Audio
The Matchup
The McPherson College women’s team looks to build momentum heading into the holiday break on Saturday night, as the Bulldogs take on Friends University at the Garvey Center in Wichita, Kan. Start time for the matchup between the Bulldogs and Falcons is set for 5:00 p.m. The game can be listened too on 96.7 FM KBBE or by audio stream at www.macbulldogs.com
The Bulldogs (3-9, 1-2) come into Saturday’s game riding high off a 93-85 overtime victory against previous undefeated in conference Bethel College. MC overcame a six-point halftime deficit with strong shooting to down the Threshers in the extra period. McPherson hit 50.0 percent from the field in the second half, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, to outscore Bethel, 46-40, before taking total control in the overtime.
Senior guard Kristen Ozbun set a single game scoring record with 38 points on 11-of-22 shooting and 12-of-17 free throw attempts. The previous record was set during the 1962-63 season by Anne Kruse. Ozbun’s strong backcourt play has been pivotal to McPherson’s success this season. She averages a team-best 18.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, and scored in double-figures in 11 games in 2010.
In the front court, junior transfer Elice Frey has emerged as a key. Frey averages 9.3 points on a team-best 46.6 percent (41-of-88) shooting from the field, while pulling down 52 rebounds. She also leads the team with six blocked shots.
Friends (7-5, 2-1) is on the back end of a two game home stand to close out the 2010 portion of the season. In their last game, the Falcons knocked off conference rival University of Saint Mary, 54-47. FU ended the evening shooting 30.2 percent (19-of-63) from the field, while forcing USM into 24 turnovers.
Scouting the Falcons
Friends (7-5, 2-1) is on the back end of a two game home stand to close out the 2010 portion of the season. In their last game, the Falcons knocked off conference rival University of Saint Mary, 54-47. FU ended the evening shooting 30.2 percent (19-of-63) from the field, while forcing USM into 24 turnovers.
The Falcons, winners of four of their last five, are led offensive by the backcourt of Ashley Mills, Ta’vionna Polley-Davis, and Minta Whetstone. Polley-Davis leads the team with 17.3 points per game, including a season-high 25 points against Bethany College on Dec. 2, while Whetstone averages 13.5 and Mills 11.1. Polley-Davis also leads the team with 37 assists on the season.
As a team, Friends averages 75.3 points on 39.4 percent shooting, including 37.8 percent from three-point range. Despite their success, FU is allowing opponents to shoot 42.3 percent (242-of-572) on the year.
The Falcons are coach by first year head coach RaeAnne Boothe. Prior to Friends, Boothe spent time coaching in the southeastern portion of the United States.
In their last meeting...
McPherson, Kan. – Friends senior Jessica Halsig lit up the nets, hitting 4-of-6 three-pointers on her way to 24 points as Friends University defeated McPherson, 80-58, on Saturday evening at the McPherson Sport Center. Junior guard Kristen Ozbun led the Bulldogs with 18 points as MC dropped to 6-18 overall and 3-13 in league play, while Friends improves to 12-14 overall and 8-8 in the KCAC.
Halsig was on fire from the start, scoring 10 of the Falcons first 14 points as Friends jumped out to an early 14-8 lead. McPherson cut the deficit to two, 25-23 with 6:14 left, before a 10-0 Falcon run pushed the lead back to 12, 35-23.
McPherson failed to cut the deficit going into the halftime locker room down 14, 42-28.
In the second half, Friends jumped on the Bulldogs early with a 9-0 run to push their lead to 18, 51-33. McPherson would not pull the lead closer than 14 the rest of the way as the Falcon offense proved too strong in the second half.
The Bulldogs finished the game hitting just 22-of-60 from the field (36.7 percent) and just 3-of-15 from three-point range.
Friends continued its hot ride throughout the game, finishing the contest hitting 50.0 percent from the field, including 6-of-13 from three-point range. Along with Halsig’s 24, Kinsley Hilst added 16 points and a team high six rebounds.
Ozbun led the Bulldogs with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting. McPherson out rebounded the Falcons 42-34.
The Bulldogs begin a road swing with a contest at No. 15 Sterling College on Thursday, Feb. 18. MC and Sterling will tipoff at 6:00 p.m.
