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McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men's basketball program will take on the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes for the 200th time on Thursday; Mac holds a 101-98 lead on KWU and will look to extend that advantage on December 11th when they square off at 8:00 p.m. (CT)
The Bulldogs had a tough time guarding Bethel College in their most recent contest as the Threshers triumphed 78-70. Mac trailed early and after clawing back, gave up an 11-0 run putting BC back on top. McPherson headed into the locker room down 41-32 after shooting in 13-of-31 in the first half. Bethel counted over 50% from the floor with only two threes dropping in.
In the second, the 'Dogs got it within a couple but another BC run pushed the Threshers to a 14-point lead. MC got within six down the stretch but Bethel's offense was too much as the Bulldogs fell 78-70. Mac hit on 14-of-34 in the final 20 minutes while the Threshers counted 14-of-25 including 50% of their six three balls.
At the end of the night, McPherson scored on 41.5% of their 65 field goals and were 7-of-23 from distance; the team converted 9-of-15 free throws. It was a low rebounding night for Mac, 23 boards, as the Threshers did such a solid job of hitting their shots. MC tallied 14 turnovers, 10 assists, six steals, and a pair of blocks.
Four Bulldogs made it into double-digits scoring with Darius Hill leading the way with his 15; the senior was 6-of-12 from the field and made 3-of-5 free throws. Chris Crook added in 13 points as he hit 4-of-12 field goals and 3-of-4 from the stripe. A late bucket by TJ Grant put him into double figures; he ended the game with 11 points and a team-high five assists. DeAndre Henson scored 10 on 3-of-7 shooting from distance and 1-of-2 from the foul line.
MC in the National Rankings: The 'Dogs are 11th in the NAIA D-II in offensive rebounds per game at 14.5. Darius Hill ranks 15th in offensive rebounds per game, 3.5, 16th in total rebounds, 102, and 17th in rebounds per game, 9.3.
Mac will host the unanimous preseason No. 1 in the KCAC Tabor College on December 13th at 7:00 p.m. for their final conference game of 2014.
Scouting Kansas Wesleyan
The Coyotes sit at 2-7 on the year with wins coming against Haskell Indian Nations and Grace University. In their two conference matchups, they have lost by a combined score of 181-113 with their most recent game being an 88-59 defeat at the hands of the University of Saint Mary.
Against the Spires, Kansas Wesleyan held the early advantage but a 21-0 run by USM put Saint Mary up for good; their lead hovered around 20 for the next 10 minutes but then increased to 30 for the final five. The Spires led 62-26 at the break after shooting in 20-of-31; KWU made just 8-of-27 in the opening 20 minutes.
Saint Mary stayed ahead 30+ for the entire second half aside from the final 26 seconds as the Coyotes hit a late three to bring the final to 88-59. Kansas Wesleyan continued to struggle shooting, making 18-of-58 while USM went 30-of-65.
KWU shot in 31% for the game, making 18-of-58 including 6-of-19 from distance; the team dropped in 17-of-24 from the foul line. The Coyotes pulled in 33 rebounds with 10 coming on the offensive end of the court. They also had 17 turnovers but only five steals and three assists.
Dominique Johnson led Kansas Wesleyan in scoring with his 11; the guard made all eight of his free throws and also dropped in 1-of-3 from deep. Both Jacob Lunz and Arique Moss totaled 10 points on the night; Lunz made 2-of-6 field goals and all six from the stripe while tabbing a team-high five rebounds. Moss connected on 4-of-13 field goals including a pair of three balls.
On the year, KWU has averaged 66.8 points a night and have a -14.1 scoring margin; they count 39.3% of their field goals and convert just 31.7 percent from distance. The team is third in the NAIA in free throw percentage at 78.5%. The Coyotes average 33.1 rebounds a night and give up close to 40. They tab 17.9 turnovers, 10.7 assists, 9.3 steals, and 3.4 blocks a contest.
Lunz is Kansas Wesleyan's leading scorer this season with his 14.7 average; he has made a team-high 47 field goals and 38 free throws while pulling in a team leading 8.4 rebounds. Johnson nets 12.9 per game to put him second on the team. Michael Johnson and Keion Criswell each average 9+ on a regular basis; Criswell leads the team in three-point buckets with 14, tying him with Moss.
It's a home contest with Bethel College to finish out the 2014 KCAC season for the Coyotes.
