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McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's basketball squad will face two of the top-KCAC teams this week and it will get started on Thursday with a 6:00 p.m. (CT) battle with the Moundbuilders of Southwestern College; SWC is currently receiving votes nationally.
MC is currently riding a seven-game losing streak with their most recent defeat coming at the hands of Ottawa University over this past weekend. Mac came out attacking against OU and held the lead for most of the first half; they couldn't get their advantage higher than five. The Braves scored six of the final eight points to take a 25-21 lead into the locker room. McPherson shot in 10-of-34 from the field with just 1-of-14 threes dropping while Ottawa counted 7-of-30 field goals and 10-fo-15 free throws.
The teams traded baskets to start the second half but an 8-0 run by OU put them ahead 11 just over five minutes into the period. McPherson's shots would not fall in the final 20 minutes as the Lady Bulldogs trailed by double-digits for the last 12, ending in a 64-52 loss. Mac knocked down 9-of-29 from the floor and just 2-of-10 from deep; they were 11-of-14 from the charity stripe. Ottawa made 12 of their 29 tries and saw 13-of-16 free throws go in.
McPherson scored on 19-of-57 for the night; they made a poor 3-of-24 from range and counted 11-of-16 free throws. The team tabbed 38 rebounds with 11 offensive boards. They also logged 21 turnovers, 12 assists, a remarkable 12 blocks, and eight steals. 39 of Mac's total were scored in the paint and 13 came from bench players.
Leading the scoring for the Bulldogs was Bailey Brown who dropped in 16 points on 6-of-14 field goals and 4-of-6 free throws; she had eight rebounds and a team-high three steals. Sunny Smart bucketed 5-of-12 from the floor and both of her foul shots for her 15 points. Alicia Demaret was one rebound away from a unique double-double as she recorded a career-high and McPherson College record 10 blocks; the freshman broke a seven-year old record.
McPherson in the Rankings: Sunny Smart is now 17th in the NAIA in total three-point field goals made with 45. Alicia Demaret, following her 10-block night, is 20th in total blocks with 30 and 23rd in blocks per game at 1.67. Bailey Brown sits 23rd in total points with her 298.
The tough week continues for MC on Saturday the 17th as the team travels to Wichita, Kansas to take on No. 15 Friends University; start time is set for 5:00 p.m.
Scouting Southwestern
The Moundbuilders are 10-6 this season and have gone 4-2 in the conference; SWC lost their first two league games of the season but have since won four-straight KCAC contests and six of their last seven games. Most recently, Southwestern dismantled the University of Saint Mary 83-55 at home.
The Lady Spires kept things tight for most of the first half as poor shooting by both teams kept the score low. SWC heated up in the final 10 minutes of the period and took a 41-20 lead into the break. The Moundbuilders scored on 12-of-31 field goals including 9-of-21 from distance; they also made a perfect 8-of-8 from the stripe. USM made 7-of-25 from the floor with 5-of-15 coming from range; they committed 16 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, Southwestern maintained a 20+ advantage throughout. The Builders continued hitting shots and took the game 83-55. SWC put in 15-of-37 from the field and scored another five three balls. Saint Mary improved their shooting as 12-of-27 shots fell; they were 2-of-7 from distance and 9-of-16 from the stripe.
For the game, the Moundbuilders made 39.7% of their 68 field goals; they cashed in on 14-of-37 threes and 15-of-18 free throws. The team pulled in 45 rebounds which included 16 offensive boards. 17 assists, eight turnovers, seven steals and a pair of blocks were tabbed by Southwestern.
Jana Reichenberger led all scoring with her 18 points; the sophomore forward made 4-of-8 field goals and all 10 of her free throws; she pulled in a team-high six rebounds and also had a pair of assists. Tiffany Rieger was next on the scoring list with 15; she went 5-of-9 from deep in her 25 minutes of service. Jordan Hobbs played in a team-high 26 minutes and scored 11 on 3-of-10 threes and 1-of-2 twos.
Southwestern is scoring 70.9 points a game on the year and has a positive scoring margin of 6.2. The team nets 41.8% of their field goals and 33.9% from deep; they watch 71.2% of their free throws drop through. The Builders average 39.6 rebounds a night along with 15.5 turnovers, 11.9 assists, 6.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks.
Hobbs is the team's leading scorer thus far throughout the season with a 13.5 average; she has made 45% of her 70 field goals and a team-high 35 three balls. Reichenberger is second on the list with 10.5; she is the team's top rebounder with an 8.5 average. Rieger and Jessica Hobbs are both fringing on the 10-point average; Rieger has dropped in 34 three balls while Je. Hobbs has made 27.
SWC stays on the road for their next contest as they face Bethel College on January 17th.
