Men's Basketball | 2/5/2011 11:53:12 PM
Box Score Box Score
Winfield, Kan. – The McPherson College men’s basketball team scored an impressive 45 points in the second half as the Bulldogs won their sixth straight, 78-65, at Southwestern College Saturday evening.
The win improves McPherson to 14-11 overall and 8-6 in KCAC action, while the Moundbuilders fall to 14-9 overall and 6-8 in league play.
The teams traded baskets and the lead over the first 14 minutes of the opening period as the host Southwestern College held a 26-24 advantage after three ties and six lead changes. Then, McPherson freshman forward Joey Powers (Welch, Okla.) converted an old fashioned three point play to take back the lead, 27-26. The two sides would trade the lead once more in the final three minutes of the period, but McPherson held a three-point advantage into the break, 33-30.
Junior guard Aaron Frazier (McPherson, Kan.) led the Bulldogs with 10 points in the first half as he went 5-of-7 from the floor, including scoring six of McPherson’s first 13 points. Junior forward Jordan Crawford (McPherson, Kan.) was second on the squad with seven first half points. MC shot 42.9 percent (15-of-25) from the field in the half and was 1-for-1 from the foul line.
McPherson jumped out early on the Builders in the second half with a 9-2 run open and closed by Frazier baskets. The run began with what would be his lone three-pointer of the night and was capped by a layup following a Southwestern turnover.
Southwestern hung close over the next three minutes before rattling off a 12-4 run of their own to knot the score, 53-53, with 8:31 remaining in the game. Six of Southwestern’s 12 points during the run came at the free throw line, including four consecutive from David King.
The Bulldogs regained control, though, as a Samson Shivers (Houston, Texas) converted an and-one situation to give McPherson a 58-57 lead with just under seven minutes left. MC extended its lead out to seven after another three-point play, before outscoring the Builders 11-4 over the final 4:27 of regulation.
Frazier finished his first double double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds, including a game-high four offensive boards. He finished the contest 10-of-13 from the floor, but was just 1-of-3 from the foul line. In addition to Frazier, Shivers and Crawford added 11 points apiece.
MC shot 47.6 percent (30-of-63) from the floor and 80 percent (12-of-15) from the free throw line, while forcing the Builders into 16 turnovers, which the Bulldogs converted into 21 points.
King led SC in scoring with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting and a 5-of-6 effort from the charity stripe. The Builders shot 41.1 percent (23-of-56) from the floor and 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from the free throw line.
The Bulldogs return to action on Thursday when MC travels to Hillsboro to take on Tabor College. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
