Men's Basketball | 1/19/2013 10:32:00 PM
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – For the fourth time in six games, McPherson wins the second half but Saturday’s first period deficit proved to be too great as the Swedes of Bethany College swiftly scurried up old highway 81 back to Lindsborg after their 61-59 win.
Two quick free throws in the game’s first couple of minutes started the game for the Bulldogs but they would trail for the next 18 as another slow start gave their opponent a chance to get up early. The Swedes took full advantage as they stormed to a 10+ advantage before the halfway mark of the first period. Tough MC defense brought the score back to single figures where it stayed for the remainder of the half. The clock wounded out as a Ray Purtle field goal found the bottom of the net, giving Bethany a 33-25 advantage.
Despite their slow start, Mac still shot a decent field goal percentage, making 33.3 percent of their 24 attempts; 3-of-7 from deep and 6-of-8 from the charity stripe helped keep the game close. BC started hot then cooled off late in the period and finished making 40.7% of their attempts from the floor; they made 3-of-10 from behind the arc and 8-of-13 from the free throw line. MC forced six turnovers, grabbing five steals.
As with the majority of McPherson’s games this season, the second half brought the fans to their feet as the excitement and energy was increased in the final 20 minutes. Bethany took it to Mac for the first part of the half and seemed to be in full control of the outcome of the game. The Bulldogs’ deficit hung around the 10-point mark until the final six minutes of the half, that’s when MC really brought the energy.
A 9-2 run by McPherson got them within two points with 2:11 showing on the scoreboard; after two bricked free throws by BC and four-straight misses by the ‘Dogs on their next possession, the Swedes had another chance to increase their lead. Purtle once again rose to the occasion and scored on a fast break layup. On the next possession, MC’s D'onte Woods (Houston, Texas) grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in to bring the score within two with just over one-minute left. Turnovers by both teams ended with seven seconds left and Samson Shivers (Houston, Texas) with the ball and a chance at a fast break layup for the tie; the ball did not find the bottom of the net and Bethany ended up with the ball and the 61-59 win as time expired on the next possession.
The Bulldogs made more baskets in the second half but missed more as well, shooting a 31.4 percentage; they were just 1-of-8 from downtown but converted 11-of-13 from the stripe. BC saw their field goal percentage drop after halftime as well; they made 12-of-34 from the field including 2-of-11 from long range. The Swedes’ inability to hit free throws down the stretch, 2-of-6, gave MC the chance to take the game but the ‘Dogs couldn’t cash in. Mac allowed 13 second half offensive rebounds to Bethany.
At the end of the game, McPherson had made 32.2 percent of their 59 attempts with four going in from downtown; they hit 17-of-21 from the stripe, a 15% increase from their season average. BC closed out the game nailing 37.7 percent from the floor but was only 10-of-19 from the free throw line. The Swedes pulled down 47 rebounds while MC grabbed 40. 10 steals were totaled by the Bulldogs along with four blocks. Mac’s bench did the majority of the scoring on Saturday as they put in 30 points.
Three players for McPherson scored a team-high eight points; they were Adam Bruner (McPherson, Kan.), Devirous Johnson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Jake Reinhardt (Walton, Kan.). Reinhardt grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds while Bruner led the team in assists as he cashed in on five dimes.
Trey Beachum was having his way with MC at times in route to his 25 points; he hit on 11-of-20 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the stripe. Ray Purtle was unstoppable at the beginning of the game but quickly slowed down; he totaled 21 points on 8-of-20 from the field, 3-of-11 from deep and 2-of-4 from the free throw line. Five points was the next highest total for the Swedes.
MC travels to Hillsboro, Kansas on Wednesday, January 23 for a showdown with the Tabor College Blue Jays; start time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (CT)
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