Women's Basketball | 2/12/2010 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – Junior guard Kristen Ozbun’s three-pointer with 1:57 left in the overtime lifted the Bulldogs to a 56-55 lead, before senior forward Stephanie Poland put the nail in the coffin with a pair of free throws to propel the McPherson to a 58-57 overtime win against the University of Saint Mary Thursday night at the McPherson Sport Center.
McPherson rallied from eight points down with five minutes remaining in the second half to force overtime and pick up their first win against the Spires since Feb. of 2008. With the win McPherson improves to 6-17 overall and 3-12 in KCAC play, while the Spires drop to 6-19 overall and 3-12 in conference.
Junior guard Kristen Ozbun led McPherson with team high 12 points, while senior forward Stephanie Poland added her first double double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Brooke Sloan also finished in double figures with 11, while freshman forward Shireana Robinson added 10. Michelle Ducy ran the Bulldog offense with great efficiency, racking up a season high nine assists on the night.
The Bulldogs controlled the boards on the night, out-rebounding the Spires 54-42, including 23 rebounds on the offensive glass. McPherson struggled shooting just 28.6 percent (18-of-63) from the field, but scored 17 points at the free throw line and 18 off USM turnovers to make up the difference.
Both sides traded free throws to open the overtime, before USM’s Sarah Beshears connected on a jumper to give the Spires a two-point, 55-53 lead with 2:37 remaining. McPherson fought back, but couldn’t find the bottom of the net until Ozbun nailed a three-pointer off a feed from Brooke Weisenburger to go up, 56-55 with 1:57 remaining.
After a pair of missed three-pointers, USM was forced to send Poland to the line with 31 seconds left and McPherson still up one. Poland sunk both free throws to seal the victory.
Neither side generated much offense in the first 20 minutes as McPherson found themselves down at the break 24-23. The Bulldogs jumped on the Spires early in the second half, converting a Carley Sharp layup and an Ozbun three-pointer to take a 28-24 lead.
Part way through the second half, McPherson’s offense went cold as they were held without a field goal for more than seven minutes. Despite the poor offense, the Bulldogs defense allowed the Spires to only gain an eight point, 48-40, advantage with five minutes left.
The Bulldogs finished the second half on an 11-3 run to send the game into overtime, 51-51.
McPherson will be back on the court for their final home game Saturday, Feb. 13 when it hosts the Falcons of Friends University. Tipoff at the McPherson Sport Center is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
