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McPherson, Kan. – The NAIA's No. 7 team will make their way to the Sport Center on Saturday night as the Bulldogs host Tabor College. The JV tip is set for 3:00 p.m. (CT) and the varsity game will commence at 7:00. Prior to the varsity contest, McPherson College will reveal the winning design of the 'Design the Bulldog' contest. All Bulldog fans in attendance will get a free t-shirt showcasing the new Bulldog logo.
Scouting McPherson
The Bulldogs are 7-19 this season and hold a 3-13 KCAC record. The team has been in games late but struggled finishing all year. That was the case in the rivalry game on Thursday against Bethany College.
Last Time Out – It was a tight first half with multiple ties and lead changes with the largest gap between the teams being just three points. Bethany scored the final points of the opening period and headed into the half up 36-35. In the second, Mac got down by double figures early on but used a couple runs to climb back in and eventually take the lead 71-70 with six minutes to play. Bethany ended the game on a 15-6 run as the Bulldogs couldn't buy a bucket late, falling 85-77. MC went 27-of-64 from the field with 13-of-27 from deep, 48.1%; they connected on 10-of-13 from the free throw line. The 'Dogs had 35 rebounds along with 16 turnovers, 16 assists, eight steals, and four blocks.
Chris Crook scored his career-high 31 points on 10-of-18 field goals including 5-of-8 from range; he was a perfect 6-of-6 from the line and also had four rebounds. Aaron Bachura had solid game for Mac, going 7-of-15 from the floor with 5-of-8 from deep; he pulled down seven rebounds as well.
ALL STATISTICS ARE FROM KCAC GAMES ONLY
Year at a Glance – Mac is scoring 74.9 points a night while allowing 81.7; their -6.8 scoring margin is last in the league. The team is knocking down 41.9% from the field with a second-best 34.1% from behind the arc; their 76.2 free throw percentage is atop the KCAC. MC pulls down 36.8 boards a game along with 10.9 assists, 5.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks.
Crook buckets 19.8 points a night and has hit on 98-of-221 from the field; he is the leading three-point and foul shooter, making 36-of-100, and 84-of-97, respectively. Dee Roberts nets 13.5 points each time out and ranks second in both field goals, 72, and three-point buckets, 28. Ramon Martinez is also averaging over 10 points a game at 10.6; he tallies 5.6 boards each time out.
Bulldogs in the National Rankings – The team ranks fifth in the NAIA D-II in free throw percentage at 75.7%. Crook is 16th with his 85.8 free throw percentage.
The lone game for Mac next week is in Oklahoma as they take on the Eagles of Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Thursday night at 8:00 p.m.
Scouting Tabor
The KCAC-leading Bluejays are 15-0 in the conference and 22-3 overall. Tabor has not been without close games as their last four wins were by a combined 12 points. On Thursday, the 'Jays snuck out of Oklahoma with an 89-86 win over the OKWU Eagles.
Last Time Out – After trailing for the first 10 minutes, Oklahoma Wesleyan went on a couple of mini-runs to take a 28-18 advantage with just over seven left in the opening half. The Bluejays pushed back and took the lead a few possessions later; they led 41-35 at the break. Less than five minutes into the second and Tabor jumped out by 10+ and appeared to be in total control of the game. A run by OKWU tied the game up with four minutes remaining at 77-77. Trailing by one, the Eagles had a chance to win in the closing seconds but a turnover allowed TC to keep their undefeated conference season alive. Tabor went 27-of-66 for the game and dropped in 10-of-32 three balls; they converted on 25-of-33 free throws in the victory. The 'Jays pulled in 43 rebounds including 14 offensive boards; the team also had 16 turnovers, 12 assists, 11 steals, and three blocks.
Lance Carter scored a game-high 23 points on 7-of-14 field goals and 7-of-9 free throws; he had 10 rebounds as well. D'Marco Smith dropped in 6-of-13 from the floor and all three of his foul shots for 17 points. Malik Brooks put in 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting including 4-of-9 from range. John Jedneak grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with his six points and two blocks.
ALL STATISTICS ARE FROM KCAC GAMES ONLY
Year at a Glance – Tabor ranks third in the league in scoring offense and defense at 81.1 and 73.4, respectively; the team's 7.7 scoring margin is top of the conference. The Bluejays are making 45.5% from the floor with a KCAC-leading 35.5% falling from range; they make 69.2% from the charity stripe. The team is pulling down 39.1 rebounds a game while tabbing 14.3 assists, 7.1 steals, and 3.2 blocked shots.
Carter is scoring a team-high 17.7 points each time out and has made a Bluejay leading 88 field goals and 74 free throws; the guard also leads the way with his 7.7 rebounds a game. Smith is second on the list at 14.9ppg; he has dropped in 24 three balls and leads the team in steals with 25. Brooks is the top three-point shooter this season with his 34 makes on 93 tries.
TC will take on Sterling College on February 11th for their next outing.
