Photo by Jakob Komel
McPherson, Kan. – Coming into Monday night's game against 12th ranked Bethel College, the Bulldogs, who were coming off a loss on Saturday to the Bethany College Swedes, hadn't lost two games in a row all season.
They faced a tall task against the Threshers who came into the contest at 6-2 overall, and 2-1 in KCAC play. Everything went Bethel's way in the first half, while the Bulldogs struggled once again shooting the ball. The Threshers built up a 12 point halftime advantage, 40-28 thanks in part to 29% shooting from the Bulldogs.
The trend continued in the first few minutes of the second frame, allowing the Threshers to extend their lead to 16 points, with 13:53 remaining in the game. At that point something clicked in the Bulldogs defensively, which sparked a 15-0 run on the offensive end over the course of the next five minutes.
Then there was a four minute lull where neither team could find a way to score. At the 4:58 mark, the Threshers scored their first basket in a nine minute span and increased the lead to 3 points, 53-50. In the final 4:58, the game was tied twice, and the lead changed hands three times.
The Bulldogs led by one with a minute ten left in regulation, but Bethel's Bryant Mocaby hit a clutch three pointer to put his team back up by two with just 30 ticks on the clock. On the Bulldogs' next possession, Jason Okoro drove to the rack, made the layup and drew the foul, tying the game at 58, with a chance to take the lead on the old fashioned three point play from the foul line.
He calmly sunk the free throw making the score 59-58 with 19 seconds, plenty of time for the Threshers to get a good look at a game winning shot. Everyone in the gym knew who was going to get the ball for the Threshers for the final shot, All-American senior Jaylon Scott. He had Ben Pyle on him but got a screen and Christian Aguillard switched on to him. He drove to the basket but Aguillard was called for a foul on the floor.
The Bulldogs had several fouls to give so the Threshers were given the ball under their basket. They inbounded again to Scott, with 10 second on the clock. He drove again, and this time Pyle got his hand on the ball as Scott went up for the shot. The official called a jump ball, and the possession arrow favored the home squad.
With five seconds remaining, the Bulldogs still had to inbound the ball. On their first attempt, Pyle broke back to the ball and Gage Maccoy sent a pass his way that was knocked out of bounds by Scott. Coach Eskidsen called timeout and drew up a brilliant play. The second attempt was on the far sideline deep in the corner. Pyle broke to the far basket, got a nice screen from Okoro and then another from Travon Gibson as he ran down the floor.
Mocaby, playing deep safety broke on the underneath route and Pyle kept going. Gage Maccoy threw a beautiful pass to a Pyle, who made a great over the shoulder grab underneath the basket. He could have attempted a lay-up but chose rather to dribble back out, and before the Threshers could foul him he passed the ball to Gibson with the clock hitting zeros.
Key Statistic
After giving up 40 points in the first half, the Bulldogs buckled down on defense in the second, holding the Threshers to just 18 points.
By the Numbers
It was another abysmal shooting night for the Bulldogs. They shot 33% from the floor, ad 12.5% from deep. They connected on just one, three pointer in the second half.
Two Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by a career high 20 points from Aguillard.
The Bulldogs won the turnover battle 11-13, and the battle of the boards 46-41.
Bulldog Leaders
Points: Christian Aguillard (15)
Rebounds: Ben Pyle (12)
Assists: Gage Maccoy (3)
Steals: Six Bulldogs (1)
Blocks: Ben Pyle, (2)
Coach Quote
"What a great win! I love the toughness our guys showed. We still struggled to shoot the ball but really locked in on the defensive end. Christian Aguillard was big time for us as well. He has worked so hard and I am so happy for him. We will enjoy this win tonight and then start getting prepared for Friends on Thursday." – Coach Eskildsen
Next Up
The Bulldogs, now 7-3 on the season and 3-2 in KCAC play, go back on the road Thursday, as Coach Eskildsen alluded to, to play the Friends University Falcons. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm in Wichita, Kanas.
