Men's Basketball | 12/10/2013 11:41:00 AM
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McPherson, Kan. – After a 1-1 week that culminated in a 93-80 defeat in Leavenworth, Bulldog basketball looks to stay unbeaten at home as they host the Sterling College Warriors on December 12
th for an 8:00 p.m. (CT) competition; junior varsity is scheduled to play at 4:00
On Saturday, the Spires and Bulldogs were never out of reach of one another in the opening period; six points was the furthest the two were apart. MC stayed out in front for the majority of the first 20 minutes but was never able to push their lead, leaving the window open for Saint Mary. USM tied things up as the first half was closing down and nailed a three pointer in the last minute to take a 43-40 lead into the locker room. Mac cashed in on 13-of-32 in the first period including two from downtown; they connected on 12-of-18 from the charity stripe as they were fouled over 15 times by the Spires. USM went 17-of-30 with an impressive 8-of-17 makes from deep; they only hit 1-of-5 foul shots.
In the second half, Saint Mary kept their advantage for the first few minutes but an 8-0 run by the 'Dogs put Mac ahead by a couple. The Spires pushed right back and scored 18 of the next 21 points including 16-straight, giving them a sizable lead with just under six minutes remaining. McPherson attempted to climb back into the game but was not able to put baskets and stops together, losing 93-80. The Bulldogs converted on 15-of-31 from the field but made just 1-of-6 three balls; they counted 9-of-14 free throws. USM was 13-of-27 from the floor with over 50% of their shots from range dropping (6-of-11); they were 18-of-23 from the stripe.
Bulldog basketball ended the night making 44.4 percent from the field as 28-of-63 went through the net; they hit 3-of-15 from deep and 21-of-32 foul shots. 40 rebounds, 16 offensive, were tabulated by MC as were 15 assists. They turned the ball over 16 times and stole back four while forcing 13 TOs of Saint Mary. 59 of McPherson's total were scored in the paint.
Devirous Johnson scored a team-high 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting with 4-of-6 free throws; he also tabbed 12 rebounds for another double-double. Joey Powers bucketed 19 with 8-of-13 field goals going through as well as both his free throws; he was one board away from hitting double figures. Shivers connected on 5-of-12 from the field and 4-of-5 from the stripe for his 16 while Brian (BJ) Johnson scored 10 with four field goals and two from the line; B. Johnson also had a team-high seven assists and logged nine rebounds. TJ Grant scored all seven of his free throws and one field goal for nine points.
McPherson in the National Rankings: Bulldog basketball ranks 14th in the NAIA D-II in total rebounds with 505 and is 15th in offensive boards an outing with 14.083. The squad is 22nd in total assists with 183 on the year. D. Johnson is still atop the NAIA in terms of total rebounds, 149, and is second in defensive and total boards a game with 8.25 and 12.417, respectively; his 4.167 offensive rebounds per contest put him fifth in the D-II.
Mac closes out 2013 with a home contest against the Friends University Falcons. The December 14th contest is Community Appreciation Night where admission is free. Games will be played at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Scouting Sterling
The Warriors are 5-4 on the year and 1-1 against the pair of conference opponents they've faced this season. The most recent outing for SC was a home contest against Bethel College where the host school nearly hit triple figures; Sterling took out the Threshers 98-89.
The first half was completely controlled by SC as they put up 50 points while holding Bethel to 34. The second half was an almost complete opposite for the Threshers as they scored 55; Sterling bucketed just enough down the stretch to hold off BC in a 98-89 win. SC made 44.8% of their field goals with 30-of-67 falling including 8-of-28 from deep; they made it to the stripe 48 times and connected on 30 for a 62.5 percentage. Bethel was 31-of-61 for the night with nine three balls going down; they had a rough go from the foul line, converting 62.1 percent of their 29 tries. SC owned the boards with 51 rebounds, 20 more than the Threshers. Sterling also tabbed 10 assists and only eight turnovers while stealing back five.
Four Warriors hit the double-digit mark in scoring. They were led by Darius Alexander who went 9-of-15 from the floor and 1-of-2 from the line for his 22 points; he also led the team in rebounds and assists with eight and three, respectively. Eddie Adesodun scored 19 with a good chunk coming from the charity stripe, a perfect 8-of-8; he made 5-of-14 field goals. Brandon Givens entered the game from the bench and scored 16 on two threes, one two-ball and eight free throws. Rounding out the double figure scorers was Braden Thompson who bucketed 12 on a very poor shooting night; the forward was 3-of-11 from the field, 1-of-4 from downtown and 5-of-11 from the line.
This year Sterling is tallying 87.4 points per game while connecting on 45.6 percent from the field; they've made 71 three balls, 7.9 per game, with 32.4 percent dropping. On average, the team hauls in nearly 40 rebounds per contest and has a positive 3.9 rebounding margin. The Warriors net 13 assists and just 11 turnovers an outing with six steals and 2.4 blocks.
The four double figure scorers for Sterling on Saturday night all average 10+ points a game for the season. Adesoldun leads the charge with his 17.6 ppg, making 44% from the field and 83.6% from the stripe. Thompson is the team leader in minutes played with 260; he buckets 16.8 points each time he hits the court. Alexander tabs 12.3 points a game and also averages 5.3 rebounds to lead SC. Givens has not started a game for the Warriors this year but still makes it over the 10-point hump most games; he is scoring 11.4 per contest and has made a team leading 20 three-point field goals.
Sterling closes out the 2013 conference season with an away game at Tabor College on December 14th.
