Men's Basketball | 11/18/2011 11:29:00 PM
Box Score Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – Despite having to overcome a 25 percent field goal percentage in the opening half, the McPherson College men’s basketball defeated Baker University (Kan.), 77-63, Friday night at the McPherson Sport Center. The contest wrapped up day one of the McPherson Classic.
With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 8-0 on the young season, while the Wildcats fall to 5-2.
Senior
Chris Crawford (McPherson, Kan.) and sophomore
Samson Shivers (Houston, Texas) led three Bulldogs in double figures with 18 point each. Crawford ended the game 6-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line, while Shivers continued his consistent free throw shooting, converting all nine attempts at the charity stripe. Senior
Jordan Crawford (McPherson, Kan.) joined his twin brother and Shivers in double-digits with a season-high 15 points, respectively.
Play was sloppy early as Baker opened the game with a 13-5 run to force a Bulldog timeout. However, McPherson responded with a 13-4 run of their own to take an 18-17 lead on a freshman
Kenny Berry, Jr. (Lee's Summit, Mo.) layup at the 7:42 mark of the opening half. Both sides struggled from that point on as McPherson held a 25-24 advantage at the break.
McPherson shot a dismal 25.0 (9-of-36) from the field in the opening period, including just 2-of-17 from beyond the arc. The Wildcats experience similar struggles, converting only 36.0 percent (9-of-25) from the floor and committing 12 turnovers.
In the second half, the Bulldogs began to find their rhythm on offense as MC quietly extended its lead out to as many as 18 points (70-52) late in the period. McPherson shot 69.6 percent (16-of-23) from the floor in the half, while converting 20-of-29 attempts at the foul line en route to the 14-point victory.
Overall, the Bulldogs shot 42.4 percent (25-of-59) from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc with just two 3-pointers on the evening. Additionally, McPherson controlled the boards, outrebounding the Wildcats 44-32.
Ben Steinlage and Todd Johnston paced Baker with 10 points each.
McPherson returns to action on Saturday against Haskell in day two of the McPherson Classic. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the McPherson Sport Center.
