Photo by Micah Gilbert
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College Bulldogs fell in their opening game of 2020 to the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes, 75-58.
The Bulldogs got 17 points and 8 boards from Brittany Roberts (Jr. Mansfield, Texas), but it wasn't enough to overcome 29 offensive miscues and a poor shooting night from behind the three point arc, where they made just 3 of 13 attempts.
The Coyotes jumped out to a quick lead, and by the end of the opening quarter had a 12 point cushion, 22-10. The Bulldogs were more efficient on the offensive end of the floor in the second quarter, scoring 17 points, but defensively they allowed the Coyotes to score another 22 points extending their lead to 44-27 at the halftime intermission.
The Bulldogs came out of the locker room flat, and scored just 11 points in the 3rd quarter while the visitors chipped in another 21 and led 65-38 heading into the final 10 minutes of play. With the outcome already decided, the Bulldogs outscored the Coyotes 20-10 in the 4th quarter to get back to within 17 as the clock hit zeros.
"We really hurt ourselves with turnovers," lamented Bulldog head coach Josh Nichols. "KWU scored 39 points off our mistakes, and we didn't execute our game plan especially on the defensive end. I thought a few bright spots off the bench were Haley [Hurst], Nicole [Abunaja], and Molly [Schultehenrich]. Molly still hasn't got into rhythm after her injury and tonight was the first step for her. Nicole gave us some good energy and Haley played really well down low."
 The loss drops the Bulldogs to 9-7 overall, and 5-5 in conference play. They will try and right the ship on Wednesday when they go out on the road for a match-up in Kansas City, Missouri with the Avila University Eagles. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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