McPherson, Kan. – Shooting on their home baskets has been big for the Lady Bulldog basketball team over the past couple months as the team is 6-0 in the Sport Center since mid-December. Wednesday night the 'Dogs took out Bethel College 71-62 to move to 9-13 on the year and 6-6 in the KCAC.
Mac took from the get-go and trailed for just 40 seconds in Wednesday's contest. An 11-2 run by the Bulldogs to end the quarter gave them a 20-11 lead. MC increased their advantage to double figures midway through the period and it peaked at 16 a few possessions later; the 'Dogs led 39-26 at the break. McPherson had a nice half shooting the rock as 17-of-30 field goals dropped through including 4-of-9 from range; they made just 1-of-4 free throws. BC netted 10-of-27 from the floor with only 1-of-6 three balls going in; the team went 5-of-7 from the line.
After MC pushed their lead back out to 16, the Lady Threshers put together eight-straight to cut their deficit in half. McPherson responded and stayed ahead double-digits the rest of the period, leading 58-46 with 10 minutes to play; the 'Dogs went 8-of-10 in the third with their first miss coming after seven minutes had gone by. Around the midway point of the fourth Bethel again put a few buckets together as they upped their defensive effort; an 11-0 run brought the score to 64-11 with 3:20 left on the clock. The Bulldogs focused up and were able to convert from the stripe late to hold on for the 71-62 win. Mac had another solid showing from the field, dropping in 12-of-25 with 2-of-7 from deep; they continued to struggle from the line, however, making 6-of-11. BC put 10 of their 26 shot attempts through the net with 6-of-9 from behind the arc; the Threshers made 10-of-13 free throws.
For the game, McPherson dropped in 29-of-55, 52.7%, with 6-of-16 coming from downtown; they were just 7-of-15 from the foul stripe. The team raked in 35 rebounds with 12 being offensive boards; they also had 17 turnovers, 14 assists, nine steals, and three blocks. 42 of the Bulldog total were scored in the paint, 24 came from bench players, and 19 were off of the 18 Bethel turnovers.
Ashton Bruner had a very good night for Mac with her 18 points and nine rebounds; the senior went 6-of-13 from the field and 6-of-9 from the stripe. Bruner also tallied three assists, three steals and a pair of blocks. Bailey Brown was next on the team in scoring with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting; for the first time since midway through her sophomore season, the MC record holder for free throw attempts and makes did not shoot a single free throw. Amanda Allen added in nine points on 4-of-9 from the field and 1-of-2 from the line. Georgia Smart cashed in on 4-of-5 from the floor for eight points.
The Bulldogs travel to Ottawa University for their next competition coming on January 23rd at 3:00 p.m. (CT)
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
