Women's Basketball | 12/10/2010 12:30:00 AM
Box Score
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – Senior guard Kristen Ozbun (Rose Hill, Kan.) set a new McPherson College single game record with 38 points to lead all scorers, as the McPherson women’s basketball team earned a thrilling 93-85 overtime victory against Bethel College on Thursday evening in the McPherson Sport Center.
With the win, McPherson improves to 3-9 overall and 1-2 in KCAC action, while Bethel falls to 8-3 and 2-1 in league play.
Ozbun’s 38 points broke Anne Kruse’s 48-year-old record of 37, which also came against Bethel. The senior from Rose Hill, Kan., ended the night 11-of-22 from the floor and 12-of-17 from the foul line.
Other top scorers for McPherson were Elice Frey (Riley, Kan.), who had 18 points and five rebounds, and Whitney Slater (Otis, Kan.) who had 10 points and seven rebounds.
In the first half, both teams traded the lead several times in the period, as the biggest lead of the first 20 minutes was Bethel’s nine-point advantage with a little over six minutes remaining at 26-17.
McPherson shot 40.7 percent (11-of-27) in the first half and faced a 33-39 deficit entering the second period of play.
The Threshers extended their lead to nine on an Angela Wood three-pointer to open the period. However, the Bulldogs stayed within striking distance and took their first lead since early in the first half, 58-55 on an Ozbun three-pointer from the corner. The Bulldogs maintained the lead over the next four minutes.
BC would take back the advantage with 4:08 left, 72-71, on a Rachel Bachman free throw, but again the Bulldogs would keep it close, tying the game 78-78 with 36 seconds remaining in regulation. Each side would add a free throw in the closing seconds to send the game into the extra period tied at 79 apiece.
In the overtime, the two sides traded opening baskets until Ozbun connected on a blind three-pointer as the shot clock expired to give MC an 84-82 advantage with 2:57 remaining. That basket not only gave the Bulldogs the lead, but it swung all momentum McPherson’s favor. Bethel would not pull closer than four the rest of the overtime period.
McPherson returns to action on Saturday, December 11 when they travel to Wichita, Kan. to play Friends University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
