Women's Basketball | 2/17/2011 11:37:10 PM
Box Score
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – Despite shooting only 27.6 percent in the second period, the McPherson College women’s basketball team held of the University of Saint Mary, 57-44, to snap a five game winless streak Thursday night at the McPherson Sport Center.
With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 6-21 overall and 4-13 in KCAC action, while the Spires fall to 9-19 overall and 2-15 in league play.
Senior guard Kristen Ozbun (Rose Hill, Kan.) made the most of her final regular season game at the Sport Center with a game-high 23 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including three 3-point baskets. The Rose Hill, Kan. native also pulled down four rebounds and recorded three steals.
Junior forward Elice Frey (Riley, Kan.) tallied her second double-digit effort in the past three games with 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting to round out the Bulldogs in double figures. Freshman guard Madison Chambers (Wellsville, Kan.) led the team with eight rebounds.
USM was led in scoring by Brittany Gardner with 14 points, including four 3-point baskets.
Neither side gained much advantage over the opening 12 minutes of the first half until an Ozbun 3-pointer from the top of the key sparked a 10-2 Bulldog run. The stretch provided MC a 24-12 halftime lead. Ozbun tallied six of McPherson’s ten points, while Sierra Gillespie and Elice Frey posted the other four points on layups.
McPherson shot 34.6 percent from the field in the opening period, while holding USM to 20.0 percent from the floor.
The Bulldogs carried their first period momentum into the second half, outscoring the Spires 9-2 over the first five mintues, 33-14. McPherson maintained the double figure lead until Mindy Eckert nailed a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 39-30 with 7:30 left.
After a stretch of trading baskets, Saint Mary would connect on two 3-pointers to cut the deficit to six, 46-40, with 2:17 left. However, that would be as close as the Spires would come, as the Bulldogs would hit 9-of-10 free throws during the final two minutes to close out the victory.
McPherson ended the night shooting 30.9 percent (17-of-55) and was 20-of-30 from the foul line. The Bulldog defense forced USM into 21 turnovers, while MC out-rebounded Saint Mary, 46-32.
The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season on Saturday when they travel to nationally ranked Sterling College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
