Women's Basketball | 1/12/2013 9:23:00 PM
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – 10 years and over 25 games later, the Lady Bulldogs finally came out on top against the Sterling College Lady Warriors. MC trailed the whole game, but found a way to win as they came pulled out the 63-60 victory.
The Lady Warriors scored on the first possession of the game and stayed out in front for the remaining minutes of the half; they started the game with a 9-3 run and stayed ahead by a handful of points, extending it to double figures nearly halfway through the period. MC battled back and brought it back to single digits but, after a three-minute scoring break from both squads, Sterling pushed it back to over 10 points which is where the half ended at 31-21.
Mac was only able to make 8-of-28 in the first half, as they struggled to get quality shot attempts; they went 0-of-7 from behind the arc and made just 50% of their 10 free throws. SC made 12-of-30 from the field with two three-point buckets; they were a perfect 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. Sterling’s Cassi Spleiss was nearly unstoppable in the game’s first 20 minutes, scoring 15 points on 5-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the stripe.
Kaylee Cramer (Dighton, Kan.) led the way for MC, making 3-of-4 field goals and 2-of-2 free throws.
The second half started much like the first with a couple of SC buckets but a 12-0 run by the Lady ‘Dogs brought McPherson within one point. The score stayed within a few for the middle section of the half as it seemed every surge made by Mac was answered by the Lady Warriors. Finally, with under three minutes to go, a 9-0 MC run put the Bulldogs up by four points with 1:16 showing on the clock. Fouls and free throws ensued and after a 3-of-4 showing at the stripe, McPherson had their 63-60 victory.
In the second period, the Bulldogs went 14-of-29 from the field, making 48.3% of their attempts. A solid showing, 12-of-18, from the charity stripe helped McPherson hang on to the lead down the stretch. Sterling made 9-of-23 from the floor and were 10-of-15 from the stripe. Only five second half turnovers were committed by MC, they forced 10 from Sterling.
The Lady Bulldogs ended the game with a 38.6 field goal percentage, draining 22-of-57 from the floor but were just 1-of-11 from downtown; 18-of-28 free throws made it through the hoop. SC closed out the contest making 21-of-53; they hit 15-of-20 from the stripe in the loss. It was a close rebounding battle, the Warriors got the nod as they grabbed 38 to McPherson’s 36. MC caused 17 turnovers of Sterling and scored 21 of their total points off of their eight steals. Mac’s bench scored 15 in their team’s victory.
18 points were recorded by Cramer as she scored on 7-of-11 from the floor and 4-of-6 from the free throw line; she also grabbed seven rebounds, tying her for first on the team.
Cheyenne Eisenhour (Stafford, Kan.) and
Bailey Brown (Glen Elder, Kan.) each totaled 11 points; Eisenhour went 50% from the field, making 3-of-6, and hit 4-of-5 from the stripe.
Spleiss had a career night, making 8-of-15 from the floor and 13-of-15 from the free throw line; she also tallied eight rebounds, second on the team. No other Warrior made it to double-digits with the closest scoring seven points.
A trip to Bethel College will complete the first round of KCAC action for the Lady Bulldogs; they travel to North Newton, Kansas on January 16
th for a special Wednesday night showdown, starting at 6:00 p.m. (CT)
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