Women's Basketball | 1/20/2012 7:06:00 PM
Game 20: McPherson College (10-9, 5-4) vs. Bethel College (8-8, 4-5)
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 | 5 p.m. (CT) | McPherson Sport Center | McPherson, Kan.
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Video
Live Stats
McPherson, Kan. - The McPherson College women’s basketball team looks to build upon its modest two-game win streak, as the Bulldogs host Bethel College Saturday evening to open the second round of the conference schedule. Tipoff between the Bulldogs the Threshers is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT) inside the McPherson Sport Center.
The KCAC Broadcast Network and Macbulldogs.com will provide live video coverage, but due to a scheduling conflict with the local high school basketball tournament an audio feed will not be available. A link to live statistics can also be found at Macbulldogs.com.
McPherson, aided by a career-high offensive effort from guard Kt Porter, enters the weekend with a 10-9 overall record and 5-4 mark in KCAC play following a 70-54 victory at Bethany College on Thursday. Porter scored 21 points and dished out three assists to lead three Bulldogs in double figures. As a team, McPherson shot 44.3 percent (27-of-61) from the field and 70.6 percent (12-of-17) at the foul line.
The Bulldog’s offensive attack will face another stiff test on Saturday, as they face a Bethel squad that entered the week leading the conference in steals per game (12.2) and field goal percentage defense (36.7 percent). However, the tough defense has not always transitioned into wins, as the Threshers own an 8-8 overall record and 4-5 mark in conference following an 85-67 loss at Southwestern on Thursday. Prior to the Moundbuilders, Bethel had won four straight.
In their first meeting, McPherson shot 54.5 percent (30-of-55) from the field, including six from long range, en route to a 74-62 road victory.
After Bethel, McPherson returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 26, when they host Tabor College at 6 p.m.
Scouting Bethel
Since their first meeting with McPherson back on Dec. 1, the Bethel College women’s basketball team is 4-4 en route to an 8-8 overall record and 4-5 mark in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. BC’s victories during that stretch came against Bethany (65-51), Tabor (68-63), Sterling (71-64) and Saint Mary (55-37). In their last game, however, the Threshers saw their three-game win streak snapped in an 85-67 loss at nationally ranked Southwestern College.
Against the Moundbuilders, Bethel shot a respectable 40.9 percent (27-of-66) from the field, but was outscored 25-7 at the free throw line and committed 20 turnovers. Southwestern ended the game with a 42.4 percent (25-of-59) field goal percentage, including a 45.5 percent (10-for-22) effort from beyond the arc. Bethel had three players finish with double figures including 15 points each from Jessica Muckenthaler and Payton Walker.
Bethel brings a strong defense to the Sport Center, as the Threshers allow 62.6 points per game and entered the week leading the conference in field goal percentage defense (36.7 percent) and steals per game (12.2). However, the Threshers have struggled on the offensive end, shooting only 34.1 percent from the field and 24.0 percent from beyond the arc as a team.
Individually, Chelsea Harris has been a force for the Threshers, as she averages a team-high 12.2 points per game on 36.5 percent shooting while also grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game and 2.8 steals. Harris owns 13 double figure scoring games this season, including a season-high 17 points on Jan. 12 against Sterling. Muckenthaler joins Harris in double figures at 11.8 points per game, while leading the team with 49 assists.
After McPherson, Bethel returns home for a game against Ottawa University at 2 p.m.
In their last meeting...
North Newton, Kan. (12/01/11) – Freshman guard Brittany Pittas (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) scored a career-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including five 3-pointers, as the McPherson College women’s basketball team wins for the first time at Bethel College since Jan. 2008, 74-62, Thursday night in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference action.
With the win, McPherson improves to 5-5 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while the Threshers fall to 4-4 and 0-1.
Pittas, who scored 19 of her 21 in the second half, added three steals, two assists and one rebound in the effort. With the performance, she extends her double-digit scoring streak to 10 games. Joining Pittas in double-figures was senior forward Elice Frey (Riley, Kan.), who posted her second double-double of the season with 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
The two sides battled for a majority of the first half, as 14 Bulldog turnovers handicapped McPherson into only a 31-27 advantage at the break. MC shot 46.4 percent (13-of-28) from the field in the opening frame, while holding Bethel to only 29.0 percent (9-of-31).
Despite the lead, McPherson opened the second period flat, which allowed Bethel to tie the score, 31-31, on back-to-back scores by Taylor Durant and Payton Walker. The contest remained close until midway through the period when Pittas capped a 15-2 McPherson run with 11 straight points to give MC a 50-39 lead with 10:54 remaining.
However, Bethel answered the run with an 11-4 stretch to cut the MC advantage to 54-50 at the 6:04 mark. The Bulldogs mustered only one field goal during the stretch.
Both sides traded baskets until McPherson sealed the victory with an 11-3 run behind another nine points from Pittas. The stretch gave MC a 70-56 lead with just under two minutes remaining. Bethel would get no closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
As a team, McPherson shot a season-best 54.5 percent (30-for-55) from the field, including 6-for-14 from 3-point range. Additionally, the Bulldogs held a 39-34 edge in rebounds. The lone black mark on the contest was McPherson’s 28 turnovers.
Jessica Muckenthaler and Payton Walker led Bethel with 12 points each, as the Threshers shot 30.7 percent (23-of-75) from the field as a team.
McPherson returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 3 when they travel to Tabor College. Tipoff between the Bulldogs and Blue Jays is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT).
