Photo by Jakob Komel
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with a win over the Missouri Baptist University Spartans on day one of the McPherson College Classic.
After spotting the Spartans the first nine points of the game, the Bulldogs responded with an 11-0 run of their own to get right back into the ball game. At the end of the opening quarter, that nine point deficit to start the game had turned into a four point lead 19-15.
In the second quarter, the two sides went back and forth. Scoring was a little down from period one, and despite MBU winning the quarter 15-14, the Bulldogs retained the lead heading into the break, 33-30. Both teams left their offense in the locker room during intermission and instead traded turnovers back and forth. The Spartans didn't score their first point of the period until the 3:04 mark, but ended up winning the quarter 8-6, to cut the Bulldog lead to a single point, 39-38, heading into the final 10 minutes.
In the fourth, the Bulldogs found their offense again a minute and a half into the quarter. Trailing 43-42, the MC ladies scored eight unanswered points to retake the lead 50-43 with 6:31 remaining. Over the final six minutes and change, the Spartans would trim the lead down to one on two occasions, but some big shots by at key moments, kept the visitors from ever retaking the lead. In the end, they won the quarter 24-19, which lead to a final score of 63-57.
Key Statistic
Tonight's key statistic was the play of the Bulldog bench players. Non-starters for the Bulldogs scored 21 points, while the Spartans got zero contribution from their players off the bench.
 By the Numbers
The Bulldogs shot 40% from the floor, and 35% from behind the arc.
The Bulldogs scored 32 of the 63 points in the paint.
MC won the battle of the boards 47-43.
Each team coughed up the ball 22 times.
Bulldog Leaders
Points: Brittany Roberts (15)
Rebounds: Brittany Roberts (20)
Assists: Dy'Mond McElrath (6)
Steals: Maison Moseley (3)
Blocks: Ja'Kia Wells (2)
Coach Quote
"Outstanding team win tonight! I thought we defended at high level tonight. MBU is a good ball team and run their stuff well. Brittany started where she left off with a double double. Madelyn Hankins was awesome off the bench for us. It wasn't just Madelyn making shots it was her ball movement and defense. Vic has only practiced twice in the last three weeks and she gave us good minutes. Overall we beat a good team and we have little time before we are back at vs a tough MO Valley team." – Coach Nichols
 Next Up
 The Bulldogs will wrap up the McPherson College Classic Saturday at 6:00 pm against the Missouri Valley Vikings, who knocked off Bethel College in their game on Friday. Â
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