Women's Basketball | 2/7/2012 8:00:00 PM
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McPherson Kan. – The Lady Bulldogs will try to get back on track after losing a tough contest to Southwestern College Saturday night. Friends University comes to town for a mid-week matchup against McPherson. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. in the McPherson Sport Center Thursday, February 9
th.
The game will be shown live on the KCAC Broadcast Network and at Macbulldogs.com. The contest will also be broadcasted live in the McPherson area on 96.7 FM KBBE MidKansas Radio and at Macbulldogs.com with Nick Gosnell on the call.
The loss against the Moundbuilders of Southwestern leaves the Bulldogs at 8-6 in the conference and 13-11 overall. This puts MC at a tie for fifth in the KCAC but only one game back from third. The victory for Southwestern allows them to stay tied for first with Friends with a record of 12-2, 18-6 overall. With only four games left in the regular season, each one is vital, especially for those eying the top spot.
Against SC, McPherson had a tough time hanging on to the ball. The Lady Builders stole the ball 15 times and MC turned it over nine more on unforced errors. Southwestern also did a great job of getting to the free-throw line; they received 13 more trips than the Lady Bulldogs and were able to capitalize on them by making 78.1 percent.
McPherson’s offense got back on track against SC by scoring 69 points which is the most they’ve scored since mid-January.
Kt Porter (Wichita, Kan.) led the team with 17 points, making 6 of her 18 attempts. Senior
Elice Frey (Riley, Kan.) recorded a season best six blocked shots which moves her up to eleventh in the nation in total blocked shots with 52. Frey also had eight rebounds and seven points.
The Friends Falcons venture to McPherson averaging over 70 points per game, scoring 71 in their win against Bethel last Saturday. Friends won 71-70 in a tight KCAC battle. Friends are currently tied with Southwestern College for first in the conference at 12-2, they’re 18-8 overall.
Ahead of the Falcons on the Lady Bulldog’s schedule are the Coyotes of Kansas Wesleyan. MC will travel up to Salina on Saturday, Feb. 11
th for a 5 p.m. tipoff.
Scouting Friends
Friends University is soaring after their recent victories, especially their matchup against top-seeded Southwestern on Feb. 2
nd. That win moved them into a tie for first which was almost taken from them last week. Friends barely held off the Threshers of Bethel College, narrowly escaping with a 71-70 triumph.
Against Bethel, a 1-of-10 showing from behind the three-point line almost loomed large for Friends. That average of 10% from three was the worst for the Falcons on the year and 18 percent lower than their 28.6 percent season average. What makes that number even more astounding is that they were playing at home where they were shooting 33 percent against conference opponents. The Falcons did slightly better from the charity stripe where they went 14-of-24 for a 58.3 free-throw percentage.
Friends still put three players in double-figures. Jessika Crews led all scorers with a season best 22 points shooting 73.3 percent. Abril Marshall and Sarah Munds contributed by scoring 17 and 16 points respectively; each of them were 6-of-10 from the field.
The defense of the Falcons is a turnover machine. They are ranked 17
th in the NAIA Division II and lead the KCAC in total steals with 289 on the season. Friends forces nearly four turnovers for each one they commit for a turnover margin of 3.88.
Friends will head back home after the McPherson matchup and take on Tabor on Saturday the 11
th. That game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. (CT)
