McPherson, Kan. – The Lady Bulldog basketball team had points scored from nine of the 12 players that saw playing time in Saturday's 65-59 victory against Southwestern College. The 'Dogs are 8-13 overall and 5-5 in the KCAC.
It was a McPherson run first quarter as the Bulldogs controlled tempo and were able to create offensively; the team knocked in close to 50% of their shots and led 16-10 after one. In the second, Southwestern found their rhythm and improved their shooting which made for a closer game. Heading into the break, the 'Dogs were on top 32-29. Mac shot in 11-of-26 from the floor with 4-of-10 threes; they watched 6-of-8 free throws fall through. SWC netted 11-of-28 field goals and went 0-of-4 from deep; they converted on 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.
The third period was very low scoring as both defenses upped their play; the Moundbuilders didn't score their first points of the quarter until the 3:30 mark and their first field goal came a minute later. Needless to say, the Bulldogs were in total control of the game and went into the fourth up 48-37. SWC came out firing in the final period and quickly tied the game on a 14-3 run midway through the quarter. McPherson was resilient and maintained their composure; the team never trailed but never led by more than a few. In the closing seconds, the Lady 'Dogs made enough free throws to hold on for the 65-59 win. Mac dropped in 8-of-22 in the second half with just 1-of-6 coming from range; they bucketed 16-of-26 free throws. Southwestern, following a 2-of-12 third quarter, ended the half with just a 33.3 shooting percentage, 9-of-27; they made a mere 1-of-9 threes, 1-of-13 on the night, and 11-of-19 foul shots.
McPherson ended the game with a 39.6 field goal percentage as 19-of-48 shot attempts found the bottom of the net; they made 5-of-16 three balls and 22-of-34 from the line. The team tallied 37 rebounds to go along with 14 turnovers, 10 assists, 10 steals, and three blocks. 34 points came in the paint while 24 were scored by bench players. This is the ninth time this season that MC has held their opponents to 60 points or less.
Ashton Bruner led the team in scoring with 15 points and also had 15 rebounds; the senior tallied three blocks, two assists, and a steal in her 33 minutes of play. Bailey Brown went 3-of-7 from the floor and, much like she's done all year, made her living at the free throw line, 8-of-11; the four-year player tabbed three steals and a pair of assists. Georgia Smart put in nine points on 4-of-6 shooting with 1-of-4 free throws falling as well; she had five rebounds, tying her with Brown for second on the team.
The Bulldogs will play a pair of home games on the next couple of Wednesdays; on the 20th, the team hosts Bethel College for a full set of games starting at 2:00 p.m. (CT) for the JV women with the varsity scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. tip.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
