McPherson, Kan. – What a way to start the New Year for the MC women's basketball team, a near-30 point win over York College, 77-48. The mid-week victory puts the 'Dogs at 6-12 on the year and gives them a lot of momentum heading into conference play.
McPherson started the game strong, jumping out to a double-digit lead just a few minutes into the opening period; they maintained their superiority throughout the quarter and led 25-14 after the first 10 minutes. In the second, YC battled with the Bulldogs but were never able to get closer than nine points. At halftime, Mac led 41-30 after an even 16-16 quarter. MC shot in 14-of-38 field goals in the first half with 3-of-7 three balls; they netted 10-of-16 free throws. York made 12-of-27 from the floor with 2-of-5 threes; they went 4-of-5 from the foul line. McPherson forced 14 turnovers in the game's first 20 minutes.
The Lady 'Dogs dominated the third period from start to finish; five minutes in they led by 20 points and got ahead by 27 which is where the score margin sat with just the fourth quarter to go, 65-38. The final period was the lowest scoring of the game as McPherson ran the clock and several bench players got plenty of minutes. When the final horn sounded, the scoreboard showed the Bulldogs winning 77-48. Mac dropped in 11-of-31 from the field with just 2-of-7 from range; they missed just one of their 13 free throws. The Panthers had a rough half shooting, making just four field goals, 4-of-19; they also struggled from the foul stripe, converting on 9-of-19.
McPherson ended the game shooting in 36.2 percent from the field, 25-of-69, with 5-of-14 three balls finding their way through; the Bulldogs made 22-of-29 from the line. The team grabbed 41 rebounds including a stellar 17 off the offensive glass; they also tallied an even 11 assists and 11 turnovers as well as 11 steals and six blocks. 53 points came in the paint for MC and 34 were scored from bench players.
One of those bench players, Georgia Smart, led the team in scoring with her 16 points on 7-of-13 field goals and 2-of-4 free throws; she also had five rebounds and three blocks. Ashton Bruner was a close second with her 15 points on 6-of-18 from the floor and 3-of-5 from the charity stripe; the senior pulled in a team-high eight rebounds and led the team in assists with six, steals with three, and tied Smart in blocks with three. Sunny Smart went 4-of-7 from three-point land and added in a nice putback for her 14 points; she also had five rebounds. Bailey Brown was in foul trouble most of the game but still scored 11 points on 2-of-8 field goals and a perfect 6-of-6 free throws; the senior hauled in five boards in her season-low 23 minutes.
The Bulldogs restart KCAC play this weekend as they host Sterling College at 1:00 p.m. (CT) for the JV and 5:00 p.m. for the varsity on Saturday the 9th.
Make sure to follow Bulldog Nation on Facebook (MCathletics) and Twitter (@MAC_Bulldogs)
McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
