Photo by Natalia Ahrens
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's basketball team got a statement win on Monday night, defeating the Tabor College Bluejays 63-60 at the Sport Center.
It was a big win because it showed what this team is made of. They have had to overcome a lot of adversity so far in the second half of the season, and tonight's game was representative of the trials that they have found a way to fight through.
After playing a solid first half, and leading at the break 33-24, they ended up giving up the lead and trailing the Bluejays by six points in the fourth quarter. They also lost leading scorer Brittany Roberts (Sr. Mansfield, Texas), who fouled out with 7:28 left in the game. Other players stepped up, and the Bulldogs were able to find a way to fight their way back into the game and then finish when it mattered.
Key Statistic
The Bulldogs dominated the paint, outscoring the Bluejays 46 t0 29.
By the Numbers
Statistically, the Bulldog won nearly every category.
They shot 41% from the floor while Tabor was 38%
Tabor won the battle of the boards 41 to 33, but the Bulldogs committed four fewer turnovers, 12 to the Bluejays 16.
Kyrstin Branscum (Jr. Gravette, Ark.) led all scorers with 17 points, tying her career high.
Bulldog Leaders
Points: Kyrstin Branscum (17)
Rebounds: Brittany Roberts (12)
Assists: Erika Diaz (5)
Steals: Brittany Roberts, Ja'Kia Wells (2)
Blocks: Brittany Roberts (3)
Coach Quote
"What a game! Coach Reed has Tabor playing at a high level and that's why it is such a big win. Big time basketball being played by both teams and big shots made on each end. KB has really stepped up and is playing as well as she ever has. Brittany got good looks just couldn't get them to fall tonight. Victoria drove and pulled up for the go ahead basket and we came away with a big time defensive stop. Ja'Kia another solid performance and Erika had some clutch free throws at the end. Tatum gave us solid minutes and Maya hit a huge 3 late in the game when we needed it. Something that doesn't happen in college basket very often is now we have to turn around and go to their place on Wednesday. Tomorrow we will make some adjustments and prepare for another battle."
 Next Up
The win is the Bulldogs' third consecutive victory, pushing them to 11-6 overall, 8-6 in KCAC play, vaulting them into 5th place in the KCAC standings, a game behind Bethany for the 4th spot. As Coach Nichols alluded to, the Bulldogs will turn around and have to go to Tabor on Wednesday for a rematch with the Bluejays. Wednesday's tip-off is slated for 6:00 pm.
