McPherson, Kan. – It was an exciting finish to the 2014-15 season for the Lady Bulldogs on Saturday as they took the University of Saint Mary into overtime; unfortunately, the night did not end well for Mac as they lost 75-73. Mac closes out the year at 4-26 and in ninth place of the KCAC at 3-15.
It was a very tight game for the first five minutes with several lead changes but a 10-0 run by USM gave them an 11-point lead just before the midway point of the half. McPherson battled back and got their deficit down to one a couple of times but headed into the break trailing 37-33. The Bulldogs had a very solid opening 20 minutes as they saw 12-of-26 field goals fall with six coming from distance; they were hampered by their 11 turnovers. Saint Mary scored on 13-of-31 from the floor with 5-of-14 threes dropping through; they went a poor 6-of-12 from the charity stripe.
In the second, Mac continued to trail but a 10-0 run put them out in front by five with 13 to play. The 'Dogs stayed ahead for nearly the rest of the half with their largest lead being seven which came with 2:15 left on the clock; MC didn't score the rest of regulation. A pair of three-point buckets on back-to-back possessions got USM within one with still over a minute remaining. McPherson missed the front end of a one-and-one with 34 ticks left, giving the Spires a chance to take the game. Saint Mary made it to the foul line where they hit 1-of-2 to force overtime.
In OT, USM scored the first six points, creating a large deficit for the Bulldogs. A couple of clutch shots pulled Mac within one with still a couple minutes left. MC trailed five with 18 seconds to go but a distance three by Sunny Smart got the 'Dogs back within two with 12 seconds still remaining. A pair of missed free throws by Saint Mary gave McPherson one last chance with 00:08 showing on the clock. A last second runner fell off target for Mac, giving the Spires the 75-73 victory. MC shot in 15-of-37 in the game's final 25 minutes; they were 5-of-14 from range but just 5-of-10 from the line. Saint Mary connected on 10-of-33 field goals with 4-of-12 going down from behind the arc; they made 14-of-22 free throws.
The Bulldogs ended the night shooting a 42.9 field goal percentage, 27-of-63; they hit on 11-of-31 threes and 8-of-14 from the stripe. The team logged 44 rebounds with 11 being offensive. McPherson netted 20 turnovers, 20 assists, six steals and six blocks. 34 points were scored in the paint for Mac.
Smart led the team in scoring with her 20 points on 7-of-20 shooting with 6-of-14 from range; she also made 1-of-2 free throws and grabbed six rebounds. Georgia Smart hit on 4-of-6 field goals and 4-of-6 foul shots for her 13 points. Bailey Brown dropped in 5-of-11 from the floor and hit both of her free throws for 12 points; she had seven rebounds. Brown, S. Smart and Whitney Jefferson each tallied four assists. Freshmen Alicia Demaret and Zatorian Abra totaled nine points apiece; Demaret logged five blocks for the night.
As the ninth place team in the conference, the Bulldogs will not make the postseason tournament.
Although it was Senior Night in the Sport Center, the Lady Bulldogs do not say goodbye to any of their players as they are all scheduled to be back next season. The coaching staff will look to add depth to a roster that will bring back a lot of experience.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
