Men's Basketball | 12/5/2013 11:07:00 PM
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – Four double-digit scorers for Mac spelt disaster for the visiting Bethel College Threshers as the Bulldogs completely dismantled BC, winning 92-54. McPherson improves to 7-4 overall and are now 1-0 in the KCAC.
MC had trouble making shots in the opening minutes, allowing Bethel to get ahead 8-0 after the first three minutes. The 'Dogs finally got some shot to fall and slowly began picking away at the Thresher lead. By the 10-minute mark of the half, McPherson had taken control and the lead as well. BC hung around for the next few but a 28-10 run by the Bulldogs to close out the period gave Mac a 41-25 halftime advantage.
An incredible 61.5% of MC's 26 shots (16-of-26) found the bottom of the net in the first 20; they went 4-of-9 from beyond the arc and 5-of-8 from the free throw line. Bethel started hot and then cooled off for a 34.5 field goal percentage; they made 40% from deep (4-of-10) and connected on just one of their three foul shots. Joey Powers (Welch, Okla.) and Devirous Johnson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) got off to good starts for Mac as they scored 11 and 10, respectively.
The two teams traded baskets for the first few of the second period with the Bulldogs maintaining their double-digit advantage; the lead was never higher than 17 or lower than 11 in the first half of the second half. McPherson put the throttle down around the 10-minute mark and a 16-0 run, fueled by three from deep by Samson Shivers (Houston, Texas), left the Threshers in the dust. Mac coasted for the rest of the contest, ending the game ahead 92-54.
It's not often that a team gets to say that making over 50 percent their field goals was their worst half, but that was the case for Bulldog basketball on Thursday; in the final 20, the squad converted 20-of-39 from the floor with 5-of-14 three balls and 6-of-9 free throws making their way in. BC made 10 shots for the second-straight period, cashing in on 10-of-34 with just one from deep; they counted 8-of-17 foul shots.
The 'Dogs sunk 55.4% of their shot attempts on Thursday, second highest for the team this year as they made 55.6 percent against Central a couple weeks ago. 36-of-65 field goals fell for MC in their victory with 9-of-23 falling from range; they made 64.7 percent from the stripe. 50 rebounds were gobbled up by McPherson with 13 offensive boards; they outrebounded Bethel by 17. 24 assists and just 14 turnovers were tallied by the Bulldogs who also had nine steals and forced 15 turnovers. 57 points were scored in the paint by MC and 29 off of turnovers.
Brian (BJ) Johnson (Kansas City, Kan.) and Shivers each accumulated 19 points to lead the way; B. Johnson hit on 8-of-12 with three free throws while Shivers made 6-of-9 field goals with five threes and 2-of-3 foul shots falling. Powers ended the contest with 17 on 70% shooting with a three ball and two free throws; he also netted 12 rebounds in the win. D. Johnson led the way in boards with his 16, increasing his NAIA-leading total rebounds for the season to 137; he also had a team-high seven assists and scored 12 points for his fifth double-double of the year.
Mac now has a trip to Leavenworth, Kansas to face the University of Saint Mary for their next matchup. The 'Dogs square off with the Spires on December 7th at 5:00 p.m. (CT)
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