McPherson, Kan. – In their first game of their own classic, McPherson College came up just short to NAIA D-I Baker University on Friday, losing 74-67. MC is now 3-3 on the year.
Mac got off to a slow start, allowing the Wildcats to get a quick eight-point lead less than five minutes in. The 'Dogs trailed by as many as 12 in the first period but bounced back as halftime closed in and went into the locker room down 37-35. MC scored on 15-of-35 field goals and 3-of-5 free throws while Baker was 50% from both the floor (15-of-30) and foul stripe (3-of-6).
The two teams traded the lead in the first few minutes of the second half but BU took the lead for good by the 15-minute mark. The Bulldogs kept things tight and were never down by more than nine. In the final minutes Mac got as close as five but the Wildcats hit their free throws down the stretch to preserve their 74-67 win. McPherson counted 11-of-29 field goals but continued to struggle from deep as they saw just 2-of-10 drop in. The Wildcats continued to shoot well as they went 12-of-25 from the floor including 4-of-7 from distance.
For the contest, McPherson was 22-of-45 from two-point range and 4-of-19 from behind the arc; they knocked down 11-of-16 free throws. The Bulldogs pulled in 38 rebounds with 14 coming off the offensive glass. They had 16 assists, 12 turnovers, three steals, and three blocks. Most of Mac's total came in the paint, 43, and the team scored 23 from their reserves.
Leading McPherson in scoring was Darius Hillwith his 18 as he made 8-of-13 field goals and 2-of-3 from the stripe; Hill also had 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the year. TJ Grant scored 11 and led the team in assists with eight; he also had five rebounds. Page Beeler bucketed 3-of-7 from the floor and 4-of-6 from the foul line for 10 points; the junior rebounded seven and had a pair of blocks.
The 'Dogs take on Haskell Indian Nations for the second time this season on November 22nd in the final game of the McPherson College Classic; the game is set for 4:00 p.m. (CT)
Make sure to follow Bulldog Nation on Facebook (MCathletics) and Twitter (@MAC_Bulldogs)
McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
