McPherson, Kan. – A late charge by McPherson College wasn't enough as the Bulldogs fell to Kansas Wesleyan University 68-60 on Thursday. The Bulldogs are now 4-8 overall and 1-2 in the KCAC.
After getting down 4-0, McPherson put together a 19-3 run on the Coyotes to go up 19-7 with 12:26 showing on the clock. MC stayed in front by a handful for the next several minutes but was never to pull away from Kansas Wesleyan. In the final two minutes of the half, the teams traded the lead a few times and the period ended with Mac ahead 25-24; McPherson scored just six points in the finals 12 minutes. The Bulldogs shot in just 9-of-30 but did slightly better than KWU as the Coyotes hit on 8-of-28 in a very low scoring first half.
The second half started with Kansas Wesleyan taking the lead as the 'Dogs continued to miss their shots. McPherson's deficit hit double-digits by the midway point of the half and KWU pushed their lead to 21 with just over six minutes to play. Mac started their comeback and inched closer but the Coyote 2-3 zone defense made it difficult for the Bulldogs to score quick baskets. MC got within two buckets but by then it was too late and KWU held on for the 68-60 win. The 'Dogs counted 9-of-28 field goals in the final 20 minutes with 6-of-16 going in from downtown. Kansas Wesleyan went 15-of-28 from the floor and hit 12-of-18 free throws.
McPherson ended the game with an 18-of-58 showing; they were 10-of-33 from range and 14-of-24 from the charity stripe. The team netted 35 rebounds, seven lower than their opponent; the 'Dogs also had 18 turnovers, 13 assists, seven steals, and a pair of blocks. 23 points were scored in the paint and just 14 of the team's total came from its bench players.
DeAndre Henson scored on 7-of-18 field goals with 4-of-10 threes and saw all four free throws fall through for a game-high 22 points. TJ Grant bucketed 13 with 3-of-5 three balls and 4-of-4 foul shots; he also led the team in assists with six. Aaron Bachura entered the game from the bench to score his 12; he was 3-of-9 from deep, 1-of-2 from two-point land, and 1-of-2 from the line.
Mac will take on Tabor College on December 13th at 7:00 p.m. (CT) in the last KCAC game of the calendar year; junior varsity will play at 3:00.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
