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McPherson, Kan. – Following a two-game non-conference tournament over Thanksgiving break, the MC men's basketball team will try to get back on the winning side of things on Thursday as they take on Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas. The JV game is set for 4:00 p.m. (CT) with varsity slated for 8:00.
Scouting McPherson
After winning their second conference game of the season, the Bulldogs are in the middle of a three-game skid with their most recent loss coming to No. 12 College of the Ozarks this past Saturday.
Last Time Out – MC was often down against the Bobcats but this resilient team was never out. After heading into the locker room trailing 42-33, McPherson came out strong in the second and pulled within a basket. A run by C of O put their lead back to double figures but another push by the 'Dogs tied the game at 63-63. Mac was never able to take the lead and their buzzer beater shot rattled out to end the game at 76-73 in favor of the Bobcats. The Bulldogs made 29-of-73 field goals in the game with 6-of-27 three balls finding their way through; they converted a solid 90% from the charity stripe, 9-of-10. The team also had 46 rebounds, 12 assists, eight turnovers, three steals, and a pair of blocks in the game.
Chris Crook once again led the team in scoring with his 18 points on 5-of-14 field goals with 2-of-5 from range; the junior also made all six free throws and had nine rebounds as well. Dee Roberts scored on 7-of-20 field goals with 2-of-9 from range; he ended the game with a team second best 16 points. Both Ramon Martinez and Ryan O'Hara each added in 11 points and seven rebounds; O'Hara also had a team-high four assists.
Year at a Glance – This season Mac is shooting 39.9% from the field and average 75.4 points per game; the team sits second in the KCAC in team defense, allowing 79.7 points a contest. The 'Dogs make 31.3% from behind the arc and net 7.6 three-point buckets each time out; they are hitting 75.1% of their free throws, 16th in the NAIA and second in the conference. MC averages 39.3 rebounds, 13.1 turnovers, 11.4 assists, 6.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks a night.
Crook is leading the team in scoring this season with his 14.6 average; he has made 40% of his 110 field goals with 20-of-52 three balls falling through. The junior shooting guard has drained a team-high 38 free throws and is making 88.4 percent, 20th in the NAIA. Roberts is a close second at 14.5 ppg; he leads the 'Dogs in field goal makes with his 54 including 22 from distance. Martinez is close to a double-digit average at 9.8 points a night; he is also rebounding 5.7 boards each game. Reed Rowell, who hasn't played in the past two games for MC ranks fifth in the NAIA in defensive rebounds per game at 8.1 and sits 14th in total rebounding average at 9.9.
The next game for the Bulldogs is set for Saturday the 5th against Friends University with the varsity tipping off at 7:00 p.m. and the JV at 3:00.
Scouting Kansas Wesleyan
The Coyotes hold a 2-6 overall record and are 1-2 in the KCAC; the team beat Bethany College in the conference opener 104-100, and then lost to Tabor College and Oklahoma Wesleyan by a combined 15 points. The most recent contest for KWU was a non-conference matchup against York College this past Tuesday.
Last Time Out – The Coyotes shot the ball very well against YC as they netted 55.6% of their first half field goals. KWU allowed York to shoot in 17-of-41 in the opening period and the Panthers led 44-31 at the break. A Kansas Wesleyan run to start the second tightened things up and it was a one-point contest by the midway point of the half. York surged forward and was able to coast to a double-digit win, 89-75. The Coyotes made 50% for the game, cashing in on 23-of-46 field goals including 5-of-10 three pointers; the team connected on 24-of-33 free throws. KWU logged just 28 rebounds along with 25 turnovers, 11 steals, nine assists, and six blocks.
Dominique Johnson led the team in scoring with his 21 points; the junior made 7-of-12 field goals and 7-of-9 free throws and also had five rebounds. Dylan Hidalgo was second on the list with 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting with a perfect 4-of-4 showing from the line. Jacob Lunz also topped the 10-point mark with his 13 on 4-of-8 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the stripe.
Year at a Glance – Kansas Wesleyan is scoring 78.4 points a night while shooting in 43 percent from the floor with 36.1 percent going in from distance; the team allows 85 points a game with their opponents making 43.4% from the floor. The Coyotes rank eighth in the league in rebounding at 37.4 boards a game but are second in blocked shots with their 3.0 average; they also record 19.1 turnovers, 10.3 assists, and 7.9 steals a contest.
Johnson is the leading scorer for KWU with his 19.8 average; the guard has made a team-high 48 field goals with 23 from behind the arc. Lunz is second on the team at 11.1 points per game; he brings in a team best 4.6 rebounds a night. Ryan Hill nets 10.6 points each time out and sits second on the team in steals with 12. Hidalgo tops the Coyotes in assists with 18 and also has scored 75 points on the year.
Kansas Wesleyan will travel to Sterling College on Saturday, December 5 for their next game.
