McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- Senior
Chris Crook (Oklahoma City, Okla., Millwood HS) scored 26 points off the bench to lead McPherson College to an 80-65 nonconference men's basketball over crosstown rival Central Christian College on Wednesday at CCC's Jerry E. Alexander Arena.
The Bulldogs, who remained perfect at 4-0, opened the game with a 14-2 run capped with a Crook 3-pointer at the 13:23 mark. He also scored the next seven McPherson points over the next 2:56 as the lead grew to 21-7. The Tigers (1-3) rallied with a 13-2 run to close to within three with 6:07 to play, forcing McPherson to take a timeout.
Out of the timeout, however, the Bulldogs regrouped, scoring 13 of the next 16 points behind a pair of threes by
Aaron Bachura (Wilsey, Kan., Council Grove HS) and another by Crook to push the lead back to double digits at 36-23. Central Christian chipped away at the lead, outscoring McPherson, 9-5, over the last 2:19 to cut the Bulldog advantage to 41-32 at the break.
Central Christian scored first in the second half on a basket by Sam Clayborn, but McPherson put together a 22-8 run to extend the lead to a game-high 23 points at 63-40 with 13:20 to play. The Bulldogs were able to maintain their advantage down the stretch in front of a raucous crowd of both Central Christian and McPherson supporters.
Crook finished the game 9-of-16 from the field, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range and a perfect 5-of-5 at the free-throw line. He also had six rebounds.
DeAndre Henson (Aberdeen, Md., Cloud County CC) added 14 points and Aaron Bachura 11, while
Reed Rowell (Topeka, Kan., Butler CC)Â and
Thomas Butler (Key West, Fla., Vermilion CC) tallied eight points apiece. Rowell pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds, while Butler added 10.
Clayborn finished with a team-high 13 points and four assists for the Tigers, while Kenrick Warren added a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double and blocked three shots. Ernest Burton had 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Central Christian tallied 39 points in the paint to McPherson' 36, but the Bulldogs held a 20-8 edge in points off turnovers and a 39-18 advantage in points off the bench.
"We felt the keys to this game were transition defense and rebounding," said head coach
Tim Swartzendruber. "We allowed a few baskets in transition, but overall, we were good. We also out-rebounded Central and that was huge. We continue to get better and that is encouraging. We had a tremendous crowd tonight. A big thanks for all who were out wearing red supporting us."
The Bulldogs return to the court Friday night at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The game serves as the season opener for the NCAA Division I Falcons, but will be classified as an exhibition for McPherson. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST. After that, McPherson opens KCAC play on Thursday, Nov. 17 at home against Bethany.
