Article by Quincy Williams
Photo by Micah Gilbert
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's basketball team lost to the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles Saturday afternoon, 69-63.
It was a disheartening loss after the hugely emotional win against Sterling on Thursday. The Bulldogs' inability to establish a paint presence hurt them against a rugged Eagles team.
The Bulldogs opened the game in control. Brittany Roberts (Jr. Mansfield, Texas) and Elle Gillen (Sr. Castle Rock, Colo.) both continued their dominance from last game. Gillen scored eight points in the first half, and Roberts had 12. The 'Dogs shot decently from the field in the first half at about a 45% clip. Maison Moseley (So. Woodward, Okla.), and Danielle Holt (Sr. Glenpool, Okla.) contributed at a high level, Moseley had two assists, Holt had three assists and three rebounds. The Bulldogs led 34-30 at halftime.
The third quarter was a tale of two runs. The first belonged to the Bulldogs. Every shot was falling; they hit their first four attempts in the quarter and led 44-30. The momentum completely turned after this run. The Eagles would go on a 23-10 run to close the quarter. They repeatedly attacked the post and found little resistance. The Bulldogs led 54-53 at the end of three.
The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter with the lead but didn't hold it for long. Roberts got into foul trouble and couldn't play the whole quarter. The Bulldogs missed her impact on the offensive end, as well as on the boards. For only the third game this season, she missed recording a triple-double. The Eagles found their offensive touch in the fourth and outscored the Bulldogs 16 to 9 in the fourth. Roberts finished with 19 points and four boards, Gillen finished with 11 points, and Britney Jarvis (Jr. Imperial, Calif.) had 12 points off of the bench. Coach Nichols commented on his team's shortcomings, "Help side defense and not getting box outs cost us the game. It's the little things, but it can be corrected in practice. They were just tougher, unfortunately."
The Bulldogs are back in action next Wednesday night at Bethel at 6 p.m. They move to 8-6 on the season, with a 4-4 record in the KCAC.
Individual Leaders
Points: Roberts, 19
Rebounds: Roberts, Holt, Kenajah Upchurch (Fr. Houston, Texas), 4
Assists: Moseley, 4
Steals: Holt, Jarvis, Upchurch, 1Â
MAC (63) – Roberts (19), Jarvis (12), Gillen (11), Upchurch (9), Griffin (6), Moseley (4), Holt (1), Branscum (1).
