Photo by Micah Gilbert
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker at home on Wednesday night to the Avila University Eagles 67-65.
The stomach flu hit the campus this week, and several members of the Bulldog women's basketball team were less than 100% against the Eagles on Wednesday. They toughed it out however, and despite being down double digits in the second half, found a way to give themselves a shot at winning the game on their final possession. Unfortunately, as Brittany Roberts (Jr. Mansfield, Texas) drove to the basket with 2.7 seconds on the clock, the ball was stripped from her hands and the Bulldogs were unable to get a shot off as time expired.
The Bulldogs were undone in the opening half. They even with the Eagles from beyond the three point line, making 6 of 13 attempts, the but Avila made a total of six more shots from the field and at the halftime intermission the Eagle lead was seven, 41-34. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the lead was eight, but the Bulldogs finally started to get on track in the fourth. Mac outscored the visitors 18-12 over the final 10 minutes of action but just couldn't quite make it over the hump.
Roberts led the Bulldog offense with yet another double double, despite battling through sickness. She finished with 13 points and 11 boards. Joining her in double figures was Elle Gillen (Sr. Castle Rock, Colo.), who hit four, three pointers to finish with 12 points.
"Great effort fighting through flu bug by our team tonight," commented Bulldog head coach Josh Nichols. "I am really proud of how we fought all game long. Brittany not being 100% hurt, but Elle really stepped up tonight. Our bench gave us a lift as well Kenajah, Victoria, and Tatum played well for us."
 With the loss, the Bulldogs are now 12-17 overall, and 8-15 in conference play. They will play their final game of the season on Saturday when they host the Ottawa Braves at 3 p.m. on Senior Day.
 MAC (65) – Roberts (13), Gillen (12), Griffin (7), Hurst (7), Branscum (5), Moseley (5), Ates (4), Upchurch (4), Schultehenrich (3), Jarvis (3), Holt (2).
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