Men's Basketball | 2/1/2013 2:42:00 PM
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McPherson, Kan. – Following their 80-64 victory over Southwestern College on Thursday, MC will attempt to win their fourth-straight as they travel to KCAC No. 1 University of Saint Mary. Game time is 5:00 p.m. (CT) on February 2nd in Leavenworth, Kan.
The game will be broadcasted live in the McPherson area on 96.7 FM KBBE Mid-Kansas Radio and at Macbulldogs.com with Nick Gosnell on the call with Steve Sell doing the color commentary. You can also watch the game via ihigh.com/macbulldogs. All links to live game statistics, audio or video can be found at Macbulldogs.com
Against the Builders, Mac gave up the first three points of the game but then went on a 22-4 run, taking a 22-7 lead 11 minutes into the contest. Their double-digit advantage was maintained for the next few minutes but then SWC clawed their way back into the game thanks to some poor shooting by McPherson. The ‘Dogs ended the half on top but by not as much as they would have hoped; they led 30-23 as the halftime buzzer sounded.
In under one-minute, MC increased their lead to double figures in the second period, getting up by as many as 13. Southwestern would then go on an 8-2 run, bringing their deficit to five points. The Moundbuilders stayed within a handful of points until a 10-0 run by McPherson gave the Bulldogs a 15-point advantage with under eight to play. Mac maintained their cushy lead for the rest of the game, leading by as many as 18 and as few as 12. MC drained their free throws down the stretch, preserving their 80-64 victory.
At the end of the game, Mac saw a five percent increase from their season average shooting percentage as they made 25-of-54 for a 46.3 field goal percentage; they drained 5-of-12 from distance and 25-of-38 from the charity stripe. Southwestern converted on 23-of-62 from the floor and were 6-of-16 from downtown; 12 of the Moundbuilder’s 19 free throws were bucketed. MC won the rebounding title as they pulled down 42 boards compared to SWC’s 37; both squads had 10 offensive rebounds. The Bulldogs tallied 12 turnovers but also 14 assists.
Adam Bruner scored a season-high 19 points on 5-of-11 from the field and 9-of-17 from the free throw line; he also totaled eight rebounds and a team-high five assists. Sampson Shivers camped-out at the charity stripe as he scored 13 of his 17 points from the foul line; he was 2-of-5 from the field and 13-of-14 from the stripe. Joey Powers came in from the bench and scored 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting; he also had eight rebounds. Devirous Johnson was the game’s leader on the glass, hauling in 10 boards to go along with his two points.
McPherson will stay on the road for their next competition after the battle with Saint Mary; Mac will take the drive down to Wichita, Kansas to face the Friends University Falcons February 7th with tipoff set for 8:00 p.m. (CT)
Scouting Saint Mary
The 18-6 Spires were the KCAC favorite to win the conference this season and sit atop the conference with a 12-1 record; their lone loss came this past Thursday when they traveled to play Sterling College.
The Warriors took it to USM as they nailed over 50% of their field goals, making 29-of-57; an unbelievable 12 three pointers were drained by SC while 18-of-23 free throws went through the home team’s hoop. Saint Mary shot well below their season average from the field, hitting 24-of-65 with 6-of-25 three pointers falling; 17-of-22 attempts from the charity stripe were counted. Sterling was all over the boards, gobbling up 46 rebounds with 12 coming on the offensive end; the Spires were only able to haul in 29. USM didn’t have any trouble holding on to the rock as they committed just eight turnovers while forcing SC to have 15.
Kevin Harvey came in off Saint Mary’s bench to tie Shiron Williams as the team’s leading scorer; they each had 14 points. Harvey was 3-of-11 from the floor and 7-of-7 from the stripe while Williams bucketed 5-of-12 field goals and 2-of-2 from the foul line; Williams also led the team in assists with five. Jordan Wilcox scored 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Senior JEB Greenburg was held to eight points but led the team in rebounds with five.
Saint Mary scores a league-leading 77.8 points per game while making 45.7% of their field goal attempts, also tops of the KCAC. 7.9 three pointers are counted by the Spires each time they hit the court; they make a conference-high 36.3 percent of their shots from downtown. USM has been struggling as of late from the charity stripe and are making 66.5% of their attempts. They sit atop the conference in assists per game with 14.7 and also tally 8.7 steals a contest; 15 turnovers are logged by Saint Mary each time out.
Wilcox is scoring 15 points a game while making 42.2 percent of his field goals; he also leads the team in minutes played (695), three pointers drained (a KCAC-leading 75) and free throws made (62). Chip Schneider is next on the squad in points scored per contest with 11.8; he also hauls in 6.4 rebounds each time he hits the court. Harvey scores 10.6 points every time he touches the court with the majority of his field goals coming from behind the three-point line. Greenberg is the team leader in rebounds per game with 6.9.
USM travels to Lindsborg, Kansas to face the Bethany College Terrible Swedes on February 7th for their next contest.
