Men's Basketball | 1/14/2012 11:17:00 PM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – After ending regulation shooting 64.1 percent (25-of-39) from the foul line, the Bulldogs converted 8-of-10 in the extra period, as the No. 6 McPherson College men’s basketball team won its third straight, 69-66, in overtime Saturday night against Ottawa University.
The win improves McPherson to 18-2 overall and 7-1 in KCAC play, while Ottawa drops is second straight overtime contest to fall to 6-12 overall and 3-5 in the league.
Senior forward Chris Crawford, who scored seven of McPherson’s 10 points in the overtime, led the team with 20 points and tied a career-high with 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Meanwhile, senior guard Aaron Frazier scored 19 points to become the 16
th Bulldogs to eclipse the 1,000-career point plateau, while setting a career-high with four blocks. Rounding out McPherson’s double figure scorers was senior guard Samson Shivers who posted 11 points, while grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds en route to his first career double-double.
The two teams combined for 60 fouls, five foul-outs and 83 free throws in the contest. McPherson finished the night shooting 67.3 percent (33-of-49) from the free throw line and 34.0 percent (17-of-50) from the field.
Trailing the Bulldogs, 39-25, with 16:56 to play in the second half, Chase Dippel hit his first of two three’s to spark an 11-2 Ottawa run. The stretch was capped by back-to-back 3-point plays from Corey Smith. Almost 11 minutes later, Ottawa tied the score, 54-54, on a layup by Colby Regier, marking the first time of the night McPherson had not led.
The lead changed four times over the final 3:34 of regulation before Dippel, who entered the night with only nine misses at the free throw line this season, converted one of two foul attempts to send the game into overtime.
The Bulldogs outscored Ottawa 10-7 in the extra frame, including 8-1 at the foul line.
McPherson opened the contest with a 26-9 run following a Shivers jumper with 8:03 left before the half. Ottawa would not break the 10-point barrier until the 7:11 mark, as the Bulldogs, led by nine points by Frazier, held a 34-21 lead at the break.
Smith for the Braves led all scorers with 23 points, while Dippel added 15. As a team, Ottawa finished the night shooting 33.8 percent (22-of-65) from the field and 55.9 percent (19-of-34) at the free throw line.
The Bulldogs will return to the hardwood on Wednesday, Jan. 18, when they travel to Lindsborg, Kan., to play Bethany College. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. (CT).
