Sioux City, Iowa – For the second-straight game, McPherson College men's basketball were the victims of a hot-shooting Iowa school, this time it was Briar Cliff University. The No. 24 Chargers knocked down 56% of their field goals en route to their 87-62 victory over MC. The loss moves the Bulldogs to 4-11 on the season and pushes their losing streak to five.
"Briar Cliff is good," said Coach Swartzendruber. "We competed well in the first half but struggled to score in the second. TJ had a great game, probably the best he has had since being at McPherson."
It was a slow start for the both teams on Tuesday as the 10-point mark was not broke until nearly five minutes had gone by. Briar Cliff held the lead for most of the period and their advantage peaked at 10 points with nine minutes left in the half. MC battled back and got as close as two but an 8-0 run by the Chargers pushed it to 10 which is where the half ended, 40-30 BCU. The 'Dogs knocked in a solid 48% from the floor (12-of-25) and hit on 2-of-4 from deep; Briar Cliff went 16-of-30 with 4-of-15 three balls falling in.
In the second half BCU held their double-digit advantage throughout. The Bulldog deficit reached 20+ just over the halfway point of the period and stayed there for the rest of the game. Mac scored on 12-of-30 field goals but went 0-of-3 from downtown; they connected on just 8-of-15 free throws. The Chargers shot in nearly 60% from the floor (16-of-27) and put in 5-of-13 threes and 10-of-14 foul shots.
McPherson converted 24-of-55 shot attempts for the game (43.6%) but drained just 2-of-7 three pointers; their free throw percentage was 60% as just 12-of-20 fell through. A mere 26 rebounds were recorded by MC; Briar Cliff pulled down 36. The 'Dogs also tabbed 10 turnovers, six assists, four steals, and a pair of blocks.
TJ Grant bucketed 31 points, a career high, on 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%); he dropped in 1-of-3 from distance and an incredible 10-of-11 from the charity stripe. Darius Hill scored 15 and was the only other Bulldog to hit double-digits; the senior was 7-of-17 from the floor and 1-of-3 from the line. Hill also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. The next highest point total was four.
Mac has one last game before the KCAC season kicks back up again; they will travel to Baldwin City, Kansas to take on Baker University on January 3rd at 4:00 p.m. (CT)
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
