Women's Basketball | 2/1/2014 11:10:00 PM
Box Score
Sterling, Kan. – The Lady Bulldog basketball team traveled to Sterling College on Saturday and after a 40-minute, hard fought bout, came up just short as they lost to the Warriors 70-63. MC now sits at 8-16 on the year and 4-8 in the KCAC.
McPherson started the game in the driver's seat, getting ahead early and then increasing the lead to a peak of eight by the eight-minute mark of the opening half; the Lady Warriors, after trailing by eight with seven to play, went on a mini-run and pulled within a basket a couple minute later. Only six points were scored in the final two minutes of the first period, four by Sterling, giving them a 28-27 lead heading into halftime.
Each squad put in 10 field goals in the first 20 minutes; MC knocked down 10-of-24 but missed all eight from behind the arc while the Warriors connected on 10-of-23 with 4-of-12 going in from distance. The 'Dogs scored on all seven of their free throw attempts; SC converted on 4-of-5. Mac was killing the boards in the first period, pulling down 29, 10 more than their opponent.
The early goings of the second half were completely controlled by the Lady Warriors as they amassed a double-digit lead just over five minutes into the half. MC attempted to cut into their deficit but every made basket was answered on the other end by Sterling; the largest advantage for SC was 13 which happened on multiple occasions. The Lady Bulldogs mounted a couple runs and got within four twice in the final five minutes but were never able to get close enough to take the lead, losing the 70-63 contest.
Mac saw only eight of their 22 second half field goals make their way through the net with 3-of-9 going in from long range; 17-of-22 from the free throw line were recorded by the 'Dogs. Sterling hit 50% of their 28 shots from the floor, making another four three balls; they also converted on 10-of-12 from the foul line.
For the game, McPherson shot in 18-of-45 for a 40% field goal percentage; 3-of-16 from downtown fell in as did 24-of-29 from the charity stripe, an impressive 82.8 percent. The team tallied 34 rebounds, eight more than Sterling, while logging 20 turnovers, nine steals, seven assists and two blocks.
Chandler Short (Edgewood, Texas) led the Bulldogs in scoring as she scored 19 on 4-of-7 from the floor including all three of her team's three balls; she also cashed in on 8-of-9 from the stripe while pulling down four rebounds and grabbing two steals. Bailey Brown (Glen Elder, Kan.) and Cami Engelbert (Beloit, Kan.) each totaled 12 points; Brown, who also stole away a team-high four balls, was 3-of-8 from the floor and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line while Engelbert counted 6-of-12 from the field. Leading the way in rebounds was Aubrey Barton (Pratt, Kan.) who had seven to go along with her eight points.
McPherson will be on the road for their next contest as they travel to Wichita, Kansas for a battle with the Lady Falcons of Friends University; the February 6th contest is set to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. (CT)
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