Women's Basketball | 1/15/2011 9:50:25 PM
Box Score Box Score
Leavenworth, Kan. – McPherson struggled to maintain a consistent offensive attack for much of the game, but provided itself enough of a cushion early in the first half to pull out a 59-48 victory over the University of Saint Mary on Saturday afternoon in Leavenworth.
The victory, the first on the road in conference play for the Bulldogs, improves McPherson to 4-14 overall and 2-6 in KCAC action, while the Spires drop to 7-11 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
The Bulldogs opened the game with a 12-2 run, including back-to-back layups by Elice Frey (Riley, Kan.) to force a USM timeout with 16 minutes left in the opening period. McPherson continued its offensive pressure maintaining its 10-point lead for the first eight minutes of the contest. USM cut the deficit to four late in the period on a Michelle Chrisman three-pointer, but it was McPherson that held a 29-24 halftime advantage.
In the period, McPherson shot 39.3 percent (11-of-28) from the field, including 2-of-4 from beyond the three-point arc. Frey led the Bulldogs at the break with eight points on 4-of-8 shooting.
However, the Bulldogs struggled early in the second period, going nearly 10 minutes before recording a point from the field. Despite the lack of offense, McPherson maintained its tenacious defense and never allowed the Spires to gain the advantage. With 5:33 remaining, Frey again sparked what would be a 10-4 run by the Bulldogs with a layup past a pair of USM defenders. The run would give the Bulldogs a 13 point, 54-41 lead with less than two minutes in the game.
For the game, McPherson connected on 34.5 percent (19-of-55) of attempts from the field and were 19-of-29 from the free throw line. Defensively, the Bulldogs held the Spires to a dismal 28.3 percent shooting and outrebounded USM, 48-45.
Frey finished the game as the Bulldogs leading scorer with a game high 16 points, while Brooke Weisenburger (Gardner, Kan.) added 12 points and three assists in the win.
McPherson returns to action on Wednesday night when they play host to nationally ranked Sterling College. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
