McPherson, Kan. – It was a game that was separated by less than 10 points throughout between McPherson College and Kansas Wesleyan University. The Lady Bulldogs forced the initial overtime and then KWU pushed it to a second where the visiting team Coyotes went on to win 73-65.
There was an intense feel to the game from the get-go with the two teams, both tied for fourth in the KCAC standings, giving their full effort. Mac led early but Kansas Wesleyan took a 16-13 lead into the second quarter. The Bulldogs heated up and KWU cooled off in the second as MC used a 12-2 run to start the period to jump in front 25-18. McPherson won the quarter 16-6 and led 29-22 at the break. The Lady 'Dogs went 10-of-23 in the first half including 3-of-6 from three-point range; they were a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe and had just three turnovers. Kansas Wesleyan struggled from the field, making 8-of-27 field goals with just 3-of-15 threes falling through; they converted on 3-of-4 from the line.
The Coyotes started the second half on a 13-2 run to take the lead 35-31 less than halfway through the third; Mac kept things tight the rest of the way but still trailed with one quarter to go, 39-38. KWU held a slim advantage for nearly the entire fourth period but McPherson stayed right on their heels throughout, never trailing by more than five. In the final minutes, the Bulldogs took advantage of missed free throws by Kansas Wesleyan and, after an and-1 by Kristina Battle in the closing seconds, forced overtime.
After scoring the first bucket of OT, McPherson saw themselves behind but a bucket for most of the period. The 'Dogs put a couple baskets together late to take the lead 60-58 with less than a minute to play. KWU went down and scored with 36 ticks left, leaving a chance for MC but a missed shot led to another overtime period. The Bulldogs had to play catchup for the entire second overtime; they hit enough shots to keep it close but never the big one to take the lead. In the final seconds the 'Yotes made their free throws this time around, resulting in their 73-65 win. Mac netted 13-of-38 in the final 30 minutes with just 1-of-7 three balls finding their way in; they were 9-of-12 from the stripe. Kansas Wesleyan went 17-of-42 from the floor with 7-of-20 threes; the team made 10-of-16 free throws.
McPherson posted a 37.7 field goal percentage, dropping in 23-of-61 with 4-of-13 from deep; they made 15 of their 18 foul shots. The team grabbed 41 boards with eight rebounds coming on the offensive end of the court; they also had 13 turnovers, six assists, six steals, and six blocks. 43 points were scored in the paint for Mac with just 10 of their total coming from the bench.
Ashton Bruner led both teams in scoring with her career-high 24 points on 9-of-21 field goals and 6-of-9 free throws; the forward also tallied 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Bailey Brown went 6-of-14 from the floor and put all eight of her free throws through the net; she had six defensive rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a blocked shot. Amanda Allen was 3-of-9 from behind the arc for her nine points; the freshman blocked away three shots for MC.
The Bulldogs will travel to Wichita, Kansas to take on Friends University on Saturday, January 30; tipoff for the varsity contest is set for 5:00 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.
