McPherson, Kan. – After losing several close games in the past couple weeks, the MC women's basketball team, with the help of some great fans on Community Appreciation Night, was finally able to win one as they took down KCAC preseason No. 2 Oklahoma Wesleyan University 74-69 on Tuesday night.
The first quarter was very close with five ties and four lead changes. After the first 10 minutes, the Eagles held an 18-13 advantage. In the second, both teams had a tough time hitting shots leading to a low-scoring period, something that was in McPherson favor as OKWU nets close to 80 points a night. Oklahoma Wesleyan hit a pair of buckets in the closing seconds to take a 31-27 lead into the locker room. The Bulldogs made just eight field goals in the first half, 8-of-31, with 1-of-10 coming from behind the arc; the team hit 10-of-14 free throws. OKWU fared slightly better in shooting percentage at 32.3%, 10-of-31, but missed all eight three-point ties; they converted on 11-of-12 foul shots.
After McPherson was able to tie the game up midway through the third, the Eagles hit a few shots to jump back out in front. The 'Dogs continued to fight and headed into the fourth quarter down just two points, 49-47. The fourth period was fun to watch as both teams played their hearts out to try and win the close game. Just 22 points were scored in the 10 minutes with the final points being a three-point bucket by Bailey Brown to tie things up with 1:45 remaining. Both squads had three chances in the final minute but solid defense by both teams forced overtime.
In OT, Mac scored the first five points and held a slim lead for the first four minutes until Oklahoma Wesleyan tied it up with just over a minute to go. Following a missed bucket by MC, Brown made a terrific steal to give the Bulldogs another chance. A great find by Ashton Bruner got Sunny Smart the ball at the top of the key for a dagger of a three pointer with 26 ticks left. The Eagles missed their chance at tying the game and two made free throws by Bruner sealed the game for McPherson, 74-69. The 'Dogs went 16-of-38 in the final 25 minutes; they knocked down 4-of-9 threes and made 11-of-13 from the line. OKWU saw 14-of-36 field goals drop through with 4-of-15 coming from distance; they made 6-of-7 free throws. It should be noted that the four makes from three-point range is a season-low for the Eagles.
The Bulldogs scored on 25-of-69 field goals in the win with 5-of-19 three balls finding the bottom of the net; they connected on 21-of-27 from the charity stripe. The team pulled in 51 rebounds with 15 offensive boards; they also had 14 assists, 13 turnovers, 10 steals and four blocked shots. 52 points came in the paint for MC and 27 were scored by bench players.
Five McPherson players hit double figures in scoring. Bruner led the way with her 19 on 7-of-13 field goals and 5-of-8 free throws; she also had a team-high four assists and 10 rebounds for yet another double-double. Brown dropped in 15 points on 5-of-14 from the field with three from range; she made both free throw attempts and had eight rebounds as well. Georgia Smart dropped in 5-of-9 field goals and 4-of-5 foul shots for her 14 points; the forward also had six rebounds and a pair of steals. Kristina Battle had one of her better games this season with 12 points, five assists, and a steal in 32 minutes off the bench. S. Smart hit the 10 point mark on that big-time three-point bucket in the final minute of the game; the senior was 2-of-5 from deep and hit all four free throws for her total.
It's a short break before their next outing as the Bulldogs are slated to host Southwestern Christian University on December 17th; tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (CT) in the Sport Center. The game is "Cedars Night" so all residents of the Cedars in McPherson will get free admission.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
