Women's Basketball | 1/10/2012 11:17:00 AM
Game 17: McPherson College (8-8, 3-3) vs. RV Kansas Wesleyan University (9-8, 4-2)
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 | 6 p.m. | McPherson Sport Center | McPherson, Kan.
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Video
Live Audio
Live Stats
McPherson, Kan. - The McPherson College women’s basketball team looks to snap a two-game skid, as the Bulldogs host Kansas Wesleyan University this Thursday, Jan. 12. Tip off for the tilt between the Bulldogs and Coyotes is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT) at the McPherson Sport Center.
The midweek matchup will be streamed live via the KCAC Broadcast Network and on Macbulldogs.com with an audio stream provided as well. Listeners in the McPherson area can tune into 96.7 FM KBBE MidKansas Radio to hear additional coverage.
The Bulldogs (8-8, 3-8 KCAC) wrapped up arguably the toughest portion of its schedule with a 64-82 loss at Friends University on Saturday night. The Bulldogs shot a respectable 41.2 percent (28-of-68) from the floor on the night, but were outscored 21-4 at the free throw line by the Falcons. Despite the loss, freshman guard Brittany Pittas posted her 15th double figure scoring night with 16 points, while senior forward Elice Frey added 12 points and a game-high two blocks.
Kansas Wesleyan, who entered the season as the consensus favorite to win their second straight KCAC crown, has lost three straight, including a pair of road games at Saint Mary (64-65) and at Southwestern (71-72) last week. With the losses, KWU falls to 9-8 on the season and 4-2 in league play.
Following Kansas Wesleyan, McPherson remains home for a Saturday evening matchup with Ottawa University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT).
Scouting Kansas Wesleyan
Former McPherson College assistant coach Gordon Reimer is in his eighth season with the Coyotes, who enter Thursday with a 9-8 overall record and 4-2 KCAC mark following Saturday’s 71-72 loss at Southwestern. The defeat is the third straight for Kansas Wesleyan, who dropped from No. 12 to receiving votes in the latest NAIA coaches’ poll.
Against Southwestern, KWU held a 34-27 lead at the break, but failed to hang on as the Builders converted 83.3 percent (25-of-30) from the free throw line. The Coyotes ended the night shooting 44.0 percent (22-of-50) from the field, but only 65.7 percent (23-of-35) at the charity stripe. Despite the loss, senior forward Rebekah Bunde scored a career-high 30 points on 9-of-16 shooting and a 12-for-19 effort at the foul line. Additionally, she matched junior forward Stephanie Frost for a game-high eight rebounds. Senior guard Montric Santee was the only other Coyote in double figures with 12 points.
Offensively, the Coyotes are averaging 64.1 points per game while shooting 38.8 percent from the floor and 71.6 percent at the free throw line as a team. Additionally, KWU grabs 1.9 more rebounds and forces 1.0 more turnovers than their opponents.
Frost leads Kansas Wesleyan with 11.1 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game and 27 total blocks. The 2011 All-KCAC selection owns 10 double-digit scoring games and two double-doubles, including a season-high 23 point and 14 rebound effort on Dec. 3 against Bethel. Despite her success this season, Frost has struggled over the last three games, averaging only 6.3 points and 5.7 rebounds.
Frost’s frontcourt mate, Bunde is KWU’s other key scorer with an 11.1 points per game average on a team-best 49.6 percent (62-of-125) field goal percentage. Additionally, she ranks second on the team in rebounding with 5.9 rebounds per game.
After McPherson, KWU returns home for a weekend matchup with No. 20 Friends University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT).
In their last meeting...
Salina, Kan. (01/22/11) – The McPherson College women’s basketball team suffered its second consecutive loss to a ranked opponent as No. 7 Kansas Wesleyan University defeated the Bulldogs, 66-50, Saturday evening at Mabee Arena.
The loss drops MC to 4-16 overall and 2-8 in KCAC play, while the Coyotes improve to 20-1 overall and 9-1 in league action. Despite the loss, McPherson remains eighth in the KCAC standings.
The Bulldogs hung close trailing just 30-29 at the half, but Kansas Wesleyan outscored MC, 36-21 in the second half, including a 16-4 run to close the game to secure the 16-point victory. McPherson shot a season-best 46.0 percent from the field, but converted just two three-point baskets and converted only 2-of-5 trips to the foul line.
Meanwhile, the Coyotes connected on 23-of-56 (41.1 percent) of attempts from the floor and were 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the charity stripe. KWU forced the Bulldogs into 20 turnovers, which they turned into 25 points.
Senior guard Kristen Ozbun (Rose Hill, Kan.) tallied a team-best 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting in the loss. Ozbun’s effort moves her ahead of April Woody for third place on the all-time scoring list with 1,160 points. She has played in 98 games, including 71 consecutive starts.
Forward Danielle Ekno paced the KWU offense with 16 points, while LaCole Wilkinson tallied 12 points and three assists.
