Game Notes
Live Video
Live Stats
Live Audio
McPherson, Kan. – The 6:00 p.m. (CT) Wednesday night contest between McPherson College and Kansas Wesleyan University falls during Coaches vs Cancer Week. The coaches will be participating in "Suits & Sneakers" as they will wear sneakers with their dress clothes to raise awareness and funds for cancer research through the American Cancer Society. People will also be invited to decorate a paper sneaker and add the name of someone they love who has or who died of cancer.
The evening is also Champions Club Appreciation Night in the Sport Center so all MC Champions Club members are encouraged to attend.
Scouting McPherson
The Bulldogs are in the middle of a three-game winning streak and have gone 5-1 since the start of 2016. Nearly all of Mac's games in the New Year have been within 10 points which was the case in their most recent outing against Ottawa University.
Last Time Out – The first half was very low scoring for both sides on Saturday as just 41 total points were scored in the 20 minutes; Mac led 11-8 after the first quarter and then stayed in front for the second, heading into halftime up 22-19. The third quarter was again close with the Bulldogs staying on top for all but a few possessions. The final period was controlled by McPherson; OU tightened things up late but free throw makes by the 'Dogs kept them in front for the 55-51 win. MC went 18-of-57 for the game including 6-of-18 from behind the arc; they made 13-of-17 free throws with 10-of-12 coming in the second half.
Ashton Bruner led all scoring with 18 points on 5-of-14 field goals and 8-of-10 free throws; the senior also tallied 11 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the year. Bailey Brown scored 12 points on 3-of-13 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the line; she had a team-high three steals and three assists. Both Kristina Battle and Brooke Racette had solid games for Mac; each of the freshmen scored 11 points, Battle on 4-of-8 from the field with three threes and Racette on 5-of-6 shooting with one from deep.
ALL STATISTICS ARE FROM KCAC GAMES ONLY
Year at a Glance – McPherson is scoring 63.4 points a game while allowing 65.6; they are seventh in the KCAC in scoring margin at -2.2. The team nets 38% from the floor with just 28% falling from deep, eighth in the league; they make 66.9% from the foul stripe. The team is second in the conference in rebounds a night with 40.5 and sit third in rebounding margin with a positive 5.0. The Bulldogs record 9.5 assists, 7.7 steals, and 2.9 blocks each time out.
Brown is scoring 15.3 points through the team's 13 conference games; she has made 82-of-100 from the foul stripe and also tallies 5.4 rebounds each time out. Bruner is netting 15.2 points a contest and has made a team-high 69 field goals; the senior is the top rebounder for Mac, pulling down 9.2 a game. Georgia Smart averages 8.5 points and 4.6 rebounds every time she hits the court.
Bulldogs in the National Rankings – The Lady 'Dogs are 18th in the NAIA D-II in total rebounds with 911. Brown ranks 15th in free throw percentage at 83.6%. Bruner is 15th in total rebounds with 200 and sits 21st in defensive boards a night with 6.5.
Mac will take on Friends University on Saturday night in Wichita, Kansas; start time is set for 5:00 p.m.
Scouting Kansas Wesleyan
After starting the season very hot, the Coyotes have cooled off recently. The team was 14-3 in 2015 but are 2-3 since returning from break; the three losses have been against the top-3 KCAC teams. KWU is in a two-game skid with their most recent defeat coming in Oklahoma in a battle of the Wesleyans.
Last Time Out – Kansas Wesleyan held a slim lead on Oklahoma Wesleyan for nearly the entire first quarter and the period ended at 25-16 in favor of the Coyotes. KWU maintained their advantage for the first half of the second but a run by Oklahoma Wesleyan tightened it up and the teams went into the locker room tied at 43-43. The third quarter was owned by the home team, especially late when they put a couple runs together to go ahead 70-60 with one period to go. After their deficit reached 15, the Coyotes scored 11-straight to close the gap with five minutes to play. KWU was never able to get closer than four and ended the game losing 84-77. A solid first half of shooting, 18-of-36, was countered by a poor 10-of-34 showing in the second; the Coyotes made 10-of-30 threes and 11-of-18 free throws in the loss. They tabbed 50 rebounds with 14 offensive boards; the team logged 19 turnovers, 14 assists, six steals, and six blocks.
Stehpanie Lichtenauer scored a game-high 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and 3-of-6 from the line; she also had six boards. Jordyn Alexander was a close second on the scoring list with 19 points on 7-of-10 field goals and 4-of-4 free throws; she pulled in nine boards and had three blocks as well. Karlie Steinle went 5-of-12 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the stripe for her 16 points; the guard led the 'Yotes in rebounds with 13 including five offensive.
ALL STATISTICS ARE FROM KCAC GAMES ONLY
Year at a Glance – The Coyotes rank in the top-3 of the conference in most of the scoring categories. They are third in scoring offense at 69.7 points, first in field goal percentage at 42.1%, and second in three-point percentage with 35.3% of their shots from range dropping in. The team allows 65.3 points a night and are fourth in scoring margin at 4.4. KWU sits 10th in rebounding with just 36 a night but are fifth in rebounding margin with a positive 1.4. They also log 13 assists, 5.7 steals, and 3.4 blocks each time out.
Alexander is the leading scorer for Kansas Wesleyan with her 13.9 average; she has made a team-high 67 field goals and is second in free throw makes with 33-of-41 falling in. The transfer forward leads the way in rebounds with an 8.5 average. Farris is second on the list in points through her team's 13 KCAC games with 163 total for 12.5ppg; she has netted 28 three pointers. Steinle tallies 10.8 points each time out and is second in three-point makes with 16-of-38 going down; she is second in free throw makes as well, converting on 39-of-56.
KWU will take on Sterling College for their next contest, coming on January 30th in Salina.
