McPherson, Kan. – Saturday's Senior Night game for the McPherson College men's basketball team went about how the season has gone, a very tight game went the way of their opponent as the University of Saint Mary won 87-76 in McPherson.
MC came out and took the first points of the game and held a small lead for the first several minutes until a run by the Spires put them out in front by the midway point of the period. The Bulldogs kept things close and after a big three-point bucket by their lone senior, Kyle Lakin, Mac went into the locker room down just 38-34. McPherson had a good half shooting the ball, draining 12-of-29 from the floor, 41.4%, but struggled from deep as 4-of-15 threes fell; they netted all six of their foul shots. Saint Mary also made 41% from the field but they knocked down 7-of-14 three-point tries; the team also went perfect from the stripe, 3-of-3.
It was slow scoring in the first part of the second half as both teams either upped their defense or went cold from the field. After trailing by 13, McPherson went on a bit of a run and closed the gap to just a bucket with seven minutes to go. The game went back-and-forth for the next several minutes but the 'Dogs could never get closer than three points and late free throw makes by USM gave them the 11-point win. Mac went 15-of-39 in the second period but their three-point shooting woes continued, 4-of-19, and remember they are second in the league in three-point percentage; the Bulldogs made 8-of-11 from the line. The Spires put in 13-of-23 field goals and 20-of-25 free throws in the final 20 minutes.
MC posted a 39.7 shooting percentage for the night, 27-of-68, with just 8-of-34 three balls making their way to the bottom of the net, 23.5%; they were 14-of-17 from the charity stripe. The 'Dogs pulled in 40 rebounds with 17 coming off the offensive glass; they had 13 turnovers, seven assists, four steals, and three blocks. Mac scored 43 points in the paint and 19 came off of the 12 USM turnovers.
Chris Crook finished his stellar junior season with a career-high 32 points on 9-of-18 field goals and 10-of-12 free throws; he also had four rebounds in a team-high 37 minutes. Aaron Bachura made 7-of-15 from the floor for 16 points; the sophomore had four boards as well with three being offensive. Lakin ended his four-year career with a season second-best 10 points on 4-of-7 field goals; he had four boards, two assists, and a steal in his final game as a Bulldog. Reed Rowell grabbed 14 rebounds, scored six points, and had all three of MC's blocks.
It is now time for some rest and recovery for the McPherson players as they set their sights on the 2016-17 season.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
