Women's Basketball | 11/3/2013 12:22:00 AM
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – A lot of scoring but not enough defense for Mac as they allowed 77 points to the Johnson and Wales Lady Wildcats, losing 77-72. MC is now 1-1 on the year.
The opening period was an even battle between the two clubs on Saturday with J&W holding the lead for the beginning and end of the first half while McPherson controlled the middle minutes. A 14-3 run by the Wildcats to close out the last four minutes gave them a 10-point advantage heading into halftime.
McPherson hit 11-of-27 from the field in the game's first period but were just 1-of-7 from deep and a disappointing 14-of-24 from the stripe. J&W made 43% of their 28 field goals while converting on four threes and 19-of-20 free throws.
The Lady Wildcats maintained their double-digit lead for nearly the entire second half; Mac was able to drop it to nine on a few occasions but couldn't get any closer until the final three minutes. At the 2:21 mark, McPherson began their comeback attempt. The 'Dogs pulled within two points following back-to-back three pointers by Bailey Brown (Glen Elder, Kan.) with under a minute to play.
A missed bucket by J&W gave MC their chance but a missed attempt from the free throw line on a 1-and-1 opportunity forced the 'Dogs to foul. One make and one miss by Johnson and Wales provided another opening for MC but an offensive rebound ended those hopes. With six seconds to play, another front end of a bonus FT miss by the Wildcats allowed for a glimmer of hope for Mac but again, the dream was thwarted by an offensive rebound. On their third trip to the stripe, J&W converted on both attempts to go ahead five, ultimately closing out the game.
McPherson stayed consistent in the second half, hitting 41.8% from the floor on 14-of34; they still struggled from downtown, making just 25% of their 16 attempts. Surprisingly the Bulldogs made their way to the line just six times where they made three. Johnson and Wales posted a poor shooting percentage, making 8-of-31 field goal attempts; they were 5-of-14 from deep and 9-of-14 from the free throw line.
For the game, Mac was 25-of-61 from the floor and 5-of-23 from behind the arc; they continue to struggle from the charity stripe where they hit 17-of-30. The Lady 'Dogs heavily outrebounded the Wildcats 51-to-37 with 19 off the offensive glass. 19 turnovers were committed by MC, eight of which were stolen by Johnson and Wales. McPherson balanced out their TOs with 19 assists.
Aubrey Barton (Pratt, Kan.) went off for the Bulldogs, making 11-of-17 for 23 points; she hit just 1-of-4 from the line. The sophomore had her first double-double of the season as she pulled in 13 rebounds as well. Brown tallied 12 points and six rebounds in the loss. The shortest player on the court, Whitney Jefferson (Katy, Texas), racked up 10 rebounds for Mac; she also had three points and five assists.
Another home bout is up next for McPherson as they host a different set of Wildcats; Baker University comes to town on Tuesday, November 5th for a 6:00 p.m. (CT) tipoff.
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