LINDSBORG, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) ---
Grant Raleigh (Hesston, Kan., Hesston HS) and
Garrett Owen (Woodward, Okla., Woodward HS) scored 15 points each but, for the second-straight outing, the McPherson College men's basketball team struggled from behind the arc in a 78-60 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) loss to Bethany College Tuesday night at Ray D. Hahn Gymnasium.
The Bulldogs (1-6, 0-3 KCAC) grabbed the first lead of the game when Owen drained a 3-pointer on their first possession of the game. The Swedes (4-6, 1-2 KCAC) responded with a 19-6 run capped by 3-pointers by Isiah Saenz and Thomas Hood to go in front 19-9. McPherson scored eight of the next 10 points to cut the lead to four, but Bethany answered with a 25-8 run to push the advantage to 21 points with 3:56 to play in the first half. The Bulldogs rallied for the final five points of the half as the Swedes took a 46-30 lead into the locker room at the break.
In the second half, McPherson was able to cut the lead to just 15 but could not get closer.
The Bulldogs shot 20-of-58 (34.5 percent) from the field and 17-of-22 (77.3 percent) at the line but just 3-of-22 (13.6 percent) from 3-point range.
The Swedes were 26-of-61 (42.6 percent) from the field and 10-of-24 (41.7 percent) from behind the arc.
McPherson held a slim 42-40 advantage on the boards. Neither team was immune to turnovers as Bethany finished with 24, the Bulldogs with 22.
Owen finished with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, six rebounds and four steals to lead the Bulldogs. Raleigh matched Owen with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
Frederick Watts (Houston, Texas, Channelview HS) added eight points and seven rebounds, while
Grant Munsen (Manhattan, Kan., Manhattan HS) had seven points off the bench in his first game since being injured in the season opener.
Tyler Larkin had a game-high 17 points, while Hood and Saenz had 14 apiece. Saenz had five assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Keil Kelly and Milos Milosevic each had seven rebounds.
The Bulldogs will break for the Thanksgiving holiday then return Saturday afternoon to host Baker University. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m. from the Sport Center.
