Photo by Junior Silva
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men's basketball team hosted the University of St. Mary Spires at the Sport Center, in the first KCAC game of the season. The Bulldogs were able to defend their home floor, outlasting the Spires 77-74.
It wasn't the prettiest game to watch as the two teams combined for 29 turnovers. The first half was a back and forth affair. The Bulldogs led by as many as nine points at one point in the half, but ended up settling for a three point lead at the break, 40-37.
In the second half they pushed the lead back out to eight points (49-41) at the 17:18 mark, but over the course of the next six minutes, the Spires worked their way back into the game tying things up at 55. With under eight minutes remaining in regulation, the Bulldogs went on a 15-0 run and extended the lead to 14 points, their largest of the game. They lead 76-62 with 3:14 left on the clock and looked like they had everything under control.
The Spires switched to a full court press, that caused a lot of problems for the Bulldogs down the stretch. Multiple turnovers, missed free throws, and hot shooting from the Spires made things very interesting in the closing minutes. The Bulldogs scored just one point in the final three minutes of the game, coughed the ball up three times, and missed five free throws, to let the Spires back in the game.
The Bulldogs led by three with four seconds on the clock and Josh Rivers at the free throw line. Needing just one free throw to ice the game. He missed both, but Jason Okoro caused enough chaos on the rebound that the time ran out without the Spires gaining possession and getting a shot off.
Â
Key Statistic
The Bulldogs shot 40% from beyond the three point arc, knocking down 11 of 27 attempts, while the Spires were just 7 of 24.
By the Numbers
The Bulldogs shot 40% from the floor for the game. They shot a disappointing 56% from the free throw line making 14 of 25 tries.
Four Bulldogs scored in double figures.
MC lost both the turnover battle 20-17, and were also out rebounded by he Spires 41-37.
Bulldog Leaders
Points: Josh Rivers (22)
Rebounds: Ben Pyle, Ja'Quan Chestnut (8)
Assists: Ben Pyle (7)
Steals: Ben Pyle (5)
Blocks: Ben Pyle (2)
Coach Quote
"I'm pleased we got our first conference win. Anytime you are in conference play it is going to be a battle. It was great to see Josh Rivers get going tonight. He was huge for us in the second half. There are definitely a lot of things we need improve on moving forward. We'll get to work tomorrow to get ready for a very good Kansas Wesleyan team on Saturday." – Coach Eskildsen
Next Up
The Bulldogs, now 5-1 on the season, will go on the road Saturday to Salina, Kansas for an 8:00 pm match-up with the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes.
