McPherson, Kan. – Both Smarts, Georgia and Sunny, along with Bailey Brown ended the game in double figures for the MC women's basketball team but it was not enough for the Lady 'Dogs as they fell 77-55 to Friends University on Thursday night.
It was a very low-scoring, slow-going first 10 minutes as both teams struggled to hit shots; the Falcons missed nearly all of their three-point tries while Mac had trouble scoring from inside the paint. Friends held a lead of around 10 points for most of the half. The Bulldogs made a surge late but were repelled by the Lady Falcons who headed into the locker room up 38-34. McPherson went just 8-of-25 in the opening period with 2-of-8 threes falling through; they were 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. FU counted 13-of-42 field goals with just 2-of-15 three balls; they made 10-of-12 from the line.
Friends held their double-digit lead throughout the second half with the largest score gap being 24 points. The 'Dogs hit the stripe late in the game but by then, the Falcons were ahead by enough to coast to their 77-55 victory. Mac converted on just 6-of-27 from the floor and were a mere 1-of-13 from distance; they connected on 18-of-25 from the line. Friends scored on 10-of-26 shots and watched 5-of-12 drop from range; they hit all 14 of their free throws.
McPherson closed out the game making 26.9% from the field, 14-of-52; they were 3-of-21 from deep and 24-of-33 from the stripe. The team grabbed 40 rebounds with 14 coming off the offensive glass; they allowed 50 to the Falcons with 21 being offensive boards. The 'Dogs recorded 19 turnovers, nine assists, five steals, and three blocks. Over half of their point total, 31, were made inside the paint.
S. Smart led the scoring with her 17 points on 5-of-16 shooting; she netted 5-of-7 free throws and tallied a team-high eight rebounds. G. Smart dropped in 5-of-7 field goals and 5-of-9 foul shots for her 15; she recorded five boards and a pair of blocks. Brown ended the night scoring on just 3-of-14 from the floor but made 6-of-7 from the stripe for 13 points; she grabbed six rebounds and logged two assists.
The final game of the year for Mac, which is also Red Out Night, is scheduled for this Saturday, February 21; they are set to host the University of Saint Mary at 3:00 p.m. (CT) in the Sport Center.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
