Women's Basketball | 2/11/2011 2:46:20 PM
Game 26: McPherson College (5-20, 3-12 KCAC) vs Bethany College (5-20, 3-12 KCAC)
Saturday, February 12, 2011 | 5:00 p.m. | McPherson Sport Center | McPherson, Kan.
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Audio
KCAC Game of the Week Video Stream
The Matchup
The McPherson College women’s basketball team returns home this Saturday night, as the Bulldogs host long time rival Bethany College in an important KCAC showdown at the McPherson Sport Center. The winner of the contest will assume sole possession of the final KCAC tournament spot entering the final week of the season.
Tipoff between the Bulldogs and Swedes is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. The game has been selected as the KCAC Game of the Week, so a video stream will be available at www.kcacsports.com. A radio broadcast will be provided by 96.7 FM KBBE Mid-Kansas radio for the McPherson area, while an audio stream can be found at www.macbulldogs.com
The Bulldogs (5-20, 3-12 KCAC) will look to snap a four-game losing streak following a 47-43 loss at Tabor College on Thursday night. McPherson had opportunities to tie or take the lead in the second period, but failed to connect on the go-ahead basket. The Bulldogs ended the night shooting 27.0 percent (17-of-63) from the floor, while the Blue Jays ended with a 34.1 percent (15-of-44) success rate.
Despite the loss, McPherson enjoyed a strong performance from junior forward
Elice Frey (Riley, Kan.), who totaled 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while pulling down nine rebounds. She was the lone Bulldog to reach double-figures and was one point shy of tying her career-best.
McPherson will be tested by a Bethany College squad that got the better of the Bulldogs, 58-50, in their first meeting. The Swedes enter the contest with a 5-20 overall mark and 3-12 conference record following a 39-59 loss at Bethel College. In that game, BC shot a dismal 24.8 percent from the floor, including a 4-of-34 effort from beyond the three-point arc. Senior forward Cathy Wade, who entered the week as the KCAC leader averaging 17.9 points per game, was the lone Swede in double figures with 10 points.
Following Bethany, McPherson will remain home for a matchup against the University of Saint Mary. Tipoff for the matchup is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside the McPherson Sport Center.
Scouting Bethany
Bethany comes into Saturday’s game with a 5-20 mark, including a 3-12 record in KCAC play. The Swedes three conference victories came against McPherson College (58-50), University of Saint Mary (49-40) and Ottawa University (70-66).
In their most recent game, a 39-59 loss at Bethel College, the Swedes struggled offensively shooting only 24.8 percent from the floor, including 4-of-34 from beyond the three-point arc. BC struggles not only included shooting, as the Swedes turned the ball over 17 times and were out-rebounded 47-38. Senior forward Cathy Wade was the lone Swede in double figures with 10 points.
Wade, who entered the week leading the KCAC in scoring, averages 17.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. Wade’s 61 three-pointers, which ranks 19th nationally, is 31 more than the next Swede. She has been held under double figures only twice and has score 20 or more points in 10 games this season. In BC’s first meeting with McPherson, Wade tallied 17 points.
Senior guard Emily Dwerlkotte ranks second on the team with 8.3 points, while pacing the offense with 51 total assists. She set a season-high with 20 points in Bethany’s 70-66 win against Ottawa University on February 5.
As a team, Bethany shoots 33.2 percent from the field, 33.0 percent from beyond the arc and 67.2 percent from the free throw line. Opponents are outscoring the Swedes 851-592 in the first period alone.
The Swedes are coached by Jim Campion and assisted by Bill Ferguson and Tyler Johnson.
In their last meeting...
Lindsborg, Kan. – Points from the free throw line proved to be the difference as the McPherson College women’s basketball team lost, 58-50, on the road at Bethany College Thursday evening in Hahn Gymnasium.
The Swedes converted 20-of-26 attempts at the free throw line, while the Bulldogs shot a dismal 50.0 percent (10-of-20).
With the loss, McPherson falls to 3-14 overall and 1-6 in conference play, while the Swedes improve to 3-14 overall and 1-6 in KCAC action.
In the first half, McPherson jumped out to the early lead on a 7-0 run to open the ball game. However, Bethany battled back to take a 25-23 advantage into the locker room. Neither side shot over 30 percent in the period, as the Bulldogs hit just 29.6 percent of their shots and Bethany 28.0 percent. Despite the poor shooting from the field, Bethany was a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line.
In the second period, Bethany found its stroke, as they shot 37.5 percent (9-of-24) from the floor in the half to pull away from the Bulldogs for the eventual eight point victory.
The Bulldogs were led in scoring by senior guard Kristen Ozbun (Rose Hill, Kan.), who finished the night with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Ozbun’s effort puts her just 16 points behind former Bulldogs April Woody for third on McPherson’s all-time scoring list.
Bethany forward Cathy Wade led the Swedes in scoring with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Wade finished the night a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
Overall, McPherson finished the night shooting 29.3 percent (17-of-58) from the field, while being outrebounded 36-47.
McPherson will look to bounce back this Saturday with they travel to Leavenworth, Kan. to take on the University of Saint Mary. Tipoff between the Bulldogs and Spires is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
