Bulldogs Get First KCAC Win at Avila

Drew Brunecz
 
In a game that the Bulldogs led almost from start-to-finish, they got their first win in the KCAC by beating Avila University 84-73.
 
This was a dominant game for McPherson from start to finish. There were very few lead changes and ties, and the Bulldogs led by 15 at one point. The first half was pretty tightly contested at the beginning, until McPherson went on an 8-2 run started by a Garrett Owen (Jr. Woodward, Okla.), three-pointer. At the end of the first half, the Bulldogs were leading the Eagles 31-25.
 
McPherson went on a 7-1 run to start the second half, but that didn't stop Avila from making it interesting. The Eagles went on a 14-3 run of their own, closing the gap from 12 points to only one point. The Bulldogs didn't panic, and eventually were able to pull away, and won the game 84-73.
 
McPherson shot well from the field, with a .491 shooting percentage, while also shooting .350 from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs also won the rebounding battle, with 36 rebounds compared to Avila's 30.
 
Chamaje Barideaux (So. New Iberia, La.), was the game's leading scorer, scoring a career-high 35 points. He made 6 of 9 three pointers, also a new career high, and was 13 of 14 from the free throw line. It was a team effort in spreading the ball around, with almost every player recording an assist for a total of 20 assists. Lual Magot (Jr. Tucson, Ariz.) recorded a game-high seven rebounds.
 
"This was a great team win," said Coach Swartzendruber. "Going on the road for the first time ever to Avila was not easy. I was extremely proud of how we responded in the second half when Avila made their run. We hit free throws down the stretch and that's what it takes to win close games."
 
This was a big game for the Bulldogs as they halted a two game skid. They will try to carry this momentum into next Tuesday, November 20, against Tabor College at home at 8:00 PM.
MC (84) – Barideaux (35), Magot (12), Munsen (8), Watts (7), Page (6), Oxford (4), Owens (4), Owen (3), Gurley (2), Hightower (2), Rivers (1).