Women's Basketball | 2/1/2012 3:51:00 PM
Game 24: McPherson (12-10, 7-5) vs. Saint Mary (12-12, 4-8)
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 | 6 p.m. | Ryan Sports Center | Leavenworth, Kan.
Live Video
Live Audio
Live Statistics
McPherson, Kan. - The McPherson College women’s basketball team is scheduled to make the 189 mile drive Thursday night to the Ryan Sports Center in Leavenworth KS to take on the 12-12 University of Saint Mary Spires. The game is set to start at 6 PM (CT)
Thursday’s game will stream live on the KCAC Broadcast Network, while 96.7 FM KBBE and McPherson play-by-play man Nick Gosnell provide radio coverage for the McPherson area. You can also catch a live audio stream which will be available at Macbulldogs.com.
The Bulldogs come into Thursday’s matchup with a 12-10 overall record, 7-5 in the conference. They hold a two place lead on USM in the KCAC standings, sitting at 5th place. After coming off a 56 point effort last week, they look to bring that number back towards their season average of 68.4 points per game. The loss against Sterling on Saturday had snapped a 5 game winning streak.
The Spires are in the midst of a 3 game losing streak averaging only 54 points per game during that run. Their most recent win was against last place Tabor on the 18th of January. USM is currently 7th in the KCAC with a 4-8 record.
Once McPherson is finished with the Spires, they will begin preparing for KCAC top seed Southwestern who comes to town on Saturday, February 4th. The game will be played at the Sport Center in McPherson at 5 PM (CT)
Scouting Saint Mary
By the numbers, Saint Mary has one of the toughest defenses in the conference allowing opponents an average of just under 55 points per game. They also lead in defensive 3-point percentage at 25% and blocked shots, blocking an astounding 112 balls. The Spires also boast the conference’s highest assist/turnover ratio, thanks to their KCAC best 372 assists. Unfortunately for USM, those tough defensive numbers haven’t produced them very many conference wins.
Saint Mary sits in the middle of the pack in most major offensive categories and can be proud of their senior forward, Jasmine Johnson who is currently sitting at 4th place in the KCAC standings for points per game. She is also first in field goal percentage with 45%. Johnson doesn’t just play offense; she is averaging an amazing 9.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, leading the conference with 238 rebounds and 55 blocks this season.
In USM’s most recent game against Southwestern College, they had a difficult time putting the ball in the hoop, scoring only 49 points. 22 turnovers by USM didn’t help their cause. The Spires were led by their star forward Johnson who scored 13 points and had 8 rebounds. Their leading 3-point shooter, junior guard Tracie Weege, was only able to put in 1 of 4 from behind the arc. Weege has been shooting much better throughout the season, posting a 31.4 percentage, ranking her 8th in the conference.
Scoring has been a problem in the second half of the season for the Spires. Since the New Year, they have only gone over the 60 point margin three times. In the scoring category, the team only has one player in the top 25 of the KCAC rankings.
After their matchup with McPherson, Saint Mary will travel to 13-10 Kansas Wesleyan for a Saturday night battle against the Coyotes at 5 PM (CT)
In their last meeting...
Three Bulldogs scored in double figures as the McPherson College women’s basketball team posted a 73-67 victory over the University of Saint Mary on Saturday night at the McPherson Sport Center.
The win improves McPherson to 7-6 overall and 3-1 in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference action, while the Spires fall to 6-7 overall and 1-3 in league play.
Kt Porter (Wichita, Kan.) and Brittany Pittas (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) teamed up to lead the Bulldogs with 14 points each. Porter finished the contest shooting 6-for-12 from the field, while Pittas was 4-of-10 from the field, including a team-high three 3-pointers. Taylor Puttergill (Tryon, Neb.) joined the duo in double-digits with 13 points, while Kaylee Cramer (Healy, Kan.) pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
The first half was a period of runs, as the Bulldogs opened the contest with a 12-4 run over the opening four minutes of action. However, Saint Mary claimed back the lead, 13-12, following a stretch of nine straight points. McPherson answered with its second big run period, outscoring the Spires 13-2 to take a 25-15 lead with 7:54 left in the opening period. The Spires would again cut the lead to two, but it was McPherson who took a 38-32 advantage into the half.
The Bulldogs never surrendered their lead in the second half en route to the six-point victory. McPherson converted 11-of-19 free throws down the stretch.
As a team, McPherson shot 37.9 percent (25-of-66) from the field, 33.3 percent (3-of-9) from 3-point range and 71.4 percent (20-of-28) from the free throw line. Additionally, the Bulldogs forced 18 Spire turnovers.
Jasmine Johnson led USM with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
