Men's Basketball | 12/4/2010 11:08:54 PM
Box Score Box Score
Ottawa, Kan. – The McPherson College men’s basketball team succumbed to a second half rally by the Ottawa University Braves on Saturday evening, dropping an 85-76 decisions to OU on the road at Wilson Field House.
"The first half was as good of basketball as we have played all year," said McPherson coach Tim Swartzendruber. "We defended well and had great shot selection. Ottawa picked up their defensive intensity in the second half and we didn’t respond well. We need to bounce back this week and get better against Bethel and Friends."
The loss is the Bulldogs fourth straight and drops them to 6-6 on the season and 0-2 to open conference play, while the Braves improve to 3-6 overall and 1-1 in KCAC action.
McPherson dominated the first half, including a 16-0 run midway through the period to give the Bulldogs a 23-10 advantage. MC would push its lead out to 20, 46-26, in the closing seconds of the half when Samson Shivers (Houston, Texas) connected on a three-point basket off an OU turnover.
The Bulldogs finished the opening 20 minutes shooting 52.9 percent (18-of-34) from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
However, the second half would not be as kind to McPherson as Ottawa exploded out of the locker room with a 28-8 run to take back the lead for the first time since the 14:20 mark of the first half, 56-54. The Braves, aided by a number of Bulldog personal fouls, pushed their lead out to 11 late in the period following a pair of DeMarcus Doucette free throws, 82-71.
McPherson would cut the lead back to six following Shivers fourth and final three-point basket of the night, but it would not be enough, as Ottawa converted three-of-four free throws to finish the night.
The Bulldogs were led in scoring by junior guard Aaron Frazier (McPherson, Kan.) with 17, while Shivers rounded out the double figures scorers with 14.
Ottawa’s Chase Dippel tallied a game high 36 points on 10-of-20 shooting and 11-of-13 free throw attempts.
McPherson returns to action on Thursday when they host Bethel College. Tipoff between the Bulldogs and Threshers is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
