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McPherson, Kan. – After scoring 104 points in their opening KCAC game, McPherson College has totaled just 130 in their past two contests combined. On December 13th, the team will look to put points on the board against Tabor College; JV will start at 3:00 with the varsity getting underway at 7:00 p.m. (CT)
This past Thursday MC took on Kansas Wesleyan University and after leading 19-7 eight minutes in, gave up a 17-6 run to the Coyotes to head into halftime up 25-24. Mac counted a rough 9-of-30 from the floor but still shot better than their opponent who made 8-of-28.
KWU took the lead early in the second half and McPherson had a tough time keeping up as their shots wouldn't go. With six minutes to play, the Bulldogs were down 21 but didn't give up; the team inched closer and pulled within a couple buckets late. Although the Coyotes made just 50% of their free throws down the stretch, it didn't matter as Mac continued to miss, ending the game in a 68-60 defeat. MC again counted just nine field goals and went 6-of-16 from deep. KWU knocked in over 50%, making 15-of-28.
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.
MC in the NAIA D-II Rankings: Darius Hill is 11th in total rebounds with 109; he is 18th in rebounds per game with 9.1. TJ Grant also has an 18th ranking as he has amassed 58 assists on the year. The team is 13th in offensive rebounds per game with their 14.0 average.
McPherson's next competition is an exhibition game with the NCAA D-II Emporia State Hornets on December 16th; tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
Scouting Tabor
The Bluejays started the year with four-straight losses but have gone 4-4 since. The reigning KCAC tournament champions opened up the conference season with a 67-64 loss to then-undefeated Southwestern College. TC won their next two matchups, taking down No. 23 University of Saint Mary this past Thursday 99-82.
Tabor got down double-digits early to the Spires but a 14-2 run gave them their first lead with just over seven minutes to play. The surge didn't stop there for TC as they took a 40-29 lead into the break and led by 15 at one point in the final minutes. Both teams shot the ball well with the 'Jays scoring on 17-of-35 and USM connecting on 13-of-29.
TC maintained their double figure advantage throughout the second half with their peak reaching 21 just five minutes into the period. Tabor was able to go tit-for-tat the rest of the game and won 99-82.
The Bluejays converted on 33-of-60 for the game including 5-of-14 from deep; they made 77.8% of their foul shots, 28-of-36. The team pulled down 35 rebounds to go along with their 17 turnovers, 14 assists, and six steals.
Five players hit double-digits scoring for Tabor with Andrew Thomas leading the way with his 21; he went 7-of-13 from the floor and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. Dewayne Biggs put in 18 points on 5-of-9 field goals and 7-of-8 free throws; he recorded a team-high four assists as well. Malik Brooks added in 13, John Jedneak scored 12, and Jonathan Gibson entered from the bench and bucketed 3-of-4 from the field and 4-of-5 from the stripe for his 10.
This season TC is averaging 76 points on 47.4% shooting from the floor; they are connecting on 36.4% from three-point and 72.5 percent from the foul line. The 'Jays pull down 33.4 boards a night while giving up 36. They log 15.8 turnovers, 9.5 assists, 4.7 steals, and a pair of blocks per game.
Thomas is the scoring leader for Tabor with his 15.6 average; he has put in a team-high 64 field goals and 58 free throws; the senior also tallies 6.3 rebounds a night to lead the team. Brooks is second on the squad with his 14.7; he is eighth in the NAIA D-II in three-point buckets with 38. Biggs scores 13.5 per contest to round out the double figure scorers. Jedneak is creeping in on the 10-point club with his 9.1 average.
Tabor's next game will not be until the New Year as they host the Tabor Classic in January; the Bluejays do have an exhibition contest with Washburn University on the 15th in Topeka.
