Lawrence, Kan. – A slow start, just 23 points in the opening half, 12 in the first quarter and 11 in the second, put the MC women's basketball team in a 20-point halftime hole to Haskell Indian Nations University. The 'Dogs played well in the final two periods but fell 81-59.
After a close start to the opening period, the Indians pushed forward and more than doubled McPherson's first period total, leading 25-12 after 10 minutes of play. In the second quarter, it was again tough scoring for the Bulldogs as shots weren't dropping. The same could not be said for the home team as just about whatever went up, went through the basket. Halfway through the game, HINU held a 44-23 advantage.
The perimeter defense of the Indians prohibited McPherson from getting any good looks from range, leading to a 1-of-6 showing from behind the arc; the team went 7-of-24 from the field and 8-of-12 from the stripe. Haskell shot nearly 50%, making 18-of-37 field goals in the first 20 minutes.
In the third quarter, MC got hit by the turnover bug, throwing the ball away seven times. Fortunately, the Indians had five themselves and only made five field goals, not allowing them to increase their lead. McPherson played their best basketball of the night in the fourth quarter, shooting over 40% from the field and doing a better job of hanging on to the ball. Sadly, HINU also upped their game in the fourth as the two clubs tied at 22-22 for the game's final 10 minutes, putting the final at 81-59.
The 'Dogs ended the night making 20-of-54 from the floor (37%) with 6-of-19 threes dropping; they counted 13-of-19 from the foul line. Haskell hit their free throws down the stretch, making 9-of-10 in the final quarter alone; they ended the game hitting 77.8% (14-of-18) from the stripe. The Indians went 29-of-65 (44.6%) from the floor and watched 9-of-27 threes fall. McPherson won the rebounding battle 44-32 and pulled in 14 offensive boards.
Ashton Bruner had her second double-double in as many games, pulling in 10 boards to go along with her team-high 14 points and five assists; she went 5-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 from the stripe. Bailey Brown also made it into double figures scoring with her 11 points on 2-of-8 field goals and a perfect 6-of-6 free throws; the senior had five rebounds. Sunny Smart and Megan Acklin each tallied nine points in the contest; Smart was 3-of-9 from deep while Acklin hit 4-of-4 field goals including a three ball for her total.
McPherson will get a week off before they head to the 2015 Cost Cutters Tip-Off Classic hosted by Columbia College in Missouri. The 'Dogs will face the host Cougars on Friday the 6th at 5:00 p.m. (CT) followed by William Woods University (Mo.) on Saturday tipping off at 1:00.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
