Women's Basketball | 1/22/2014 11:07:00 PM
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – The Lady Bulldogs almost pulled off an upset on Wednesday but instead suffered a 73-67 defeat to the NAIA's No. 11 Southwestern College Moundbuilders. The loss puts Mac at 7-14 for the season, 3-6 in the KCAC.
The 'Dogs got down early and were in a 10-point hole just five minutes into the opening half. After trailing by as many as 13, MC started to push back and closed the gap to four as the halftime buzzer sounded; they trailed Southwestern 41-37 at the break.
Mac had an impressive shooting performance in the game's first 20 minutes, knocking down 15-of-32 from the floor with 5-of-15 falling from deep; they shot just three free throws and made two. The Builders outdid MC as they counted 17-of-29 field goals with 7-of-14 from behind the arc; the lone foul shot they attempted did not make its way in. McPherson's Aubrey Barton scored a game-high 11 points in the first period; she also tabbed five rebounds.
The second half started very well for the Lady Bulldogs as they continued to close the gap and then took their first lead of the game with 16:24 showing on the clock. Over the next several minutes, the two clubs traded leads with Mac's largest of four coming with just under 10 to play. With 4:49 left, the game was tied at 62. SWC would lead the rest of the way but not by much as the 'Dogs stayed right on their heels, ending the game trailing by six. The 73-67 win for Southwestern puts them at a perfect 9-0 for the first time through the KCAC.
MC turned the ball over seven times in the second period, giving away valuable possessions late; they went 8-of-21 from the field but just 2-of-12 from deep. The Bulldogs made 12 of their 15 from the foul line, keeping things tight. The Lady Moundbuilders converted on 11-of-27 in the final half, dropping in five more from deep; they also hit five free throws.
McPherson posted a respectable 43.4 field goal percentage for the night, hitting 25-of-53 including 7-of-27 from long range; they shot in 77.8% of their free throws, 14-of-18. Only 30 boards were gobbled up by MC, losing the rebounding title by three. The 'Dogs won the turnover battle, logging just 12 to go with their 20 assists, six steals and two blocks. 39 of the team's points were scored in the paint while 20 came from the bench players.
Barton (Pratt, Kan.) closed out the game with a team-high 20 points on a 6-of-13 showing from the floor and a perfect 8-of-8 from the stripe; she also netted two steals, two assists and a team leading eight rebounds. Sunny Smart (Coffeeville, Okla.) cashed in on three from distance in the opening period but could not find the basket in the second, ending the contest with nine points on 3-of-6 shooting. Breahna Gillespie (Little River, Kan.) scored eight points while tabbing five assists. Leading the way in dimes was Whitney Jefferson (Katy, Texas) who recorded six to go along with her five points and five rebounds.
The 'Dogs will get the second round of conference play started in North Newton, Kansas as they face the Bethel College Threshers on January 25th; tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. (CT)
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