Photo by Junior Silva
Bartlesville, Okla. – The McPherson College women's basketball team surrendered a late fourth quarter lead, falling on the road to the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles on Saturday afternoon, 73-70.
The Bulldogs got off to a strong start, leading the Eagles after the first ten minutes of play, 14-10. However, in the second quarter, the Eagles caught fire from three point land, out-scoring the Bulldogs in the period 24-9 to take an 11 point lead, 34-23, into the halftime intermission.
Out of the break, it was the Bulldogs' turn to get hot. By the end of the third quarter, the Bulldogs had scored 28 points, erasing the 11 point halftime deficit and taking a three point lead, 51-48 heading into the final ten minutes of action.
The Bulldogs led for nine minutes and forty-five seconds of the quarter, but things went haywire in the final 15 seconds to cost the Bulldogs the win. The Bulldogs led the Eagles 70-69 with 15 ticks on the clock. Inbounding on the far sideline, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on an over and back call by the officials. On the ensuing Eagle possession, Victoria Ates was called for an intentional foul, one of the more baffling calls this season, giving the Eagles two free throws, and the ball. They made both attempts to retake the lead 71-70.
Clearly agitated by the confusing intentional foul call by the officials, Coach Nichols was assessed a technical foul for continuing to voice his displeasure at the decision. The Eagles again made both free throws to make the score 73-70, the eventual final score.
Key Statistic
Three point shooting was the difference. The Bulldogs were 6 of 18 from deep while the Eagles knocked down 11 of 26 attempts.
By the Numbers
The Bulldogs shot 42% from the floor, making 22 of 52 attempts.
From the free throw line they were 20-30 (67%).
Three Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Maison Moseley with 13.
MC won the turnover battle 13-15, but were out-rebounded by the Panthers 40-34.
Bulldog Leaders
Points: Maison Moseley (13)
Rebounds: Brittany Roberts (14)
Assists: Dy'mond McElrath (4)
Steals: Brittany Roberts, Ja'Kia Wells (3)
Blocks: Brittany Roberts, Kyrstin Branscum (1)
Next Up
With the loss, the Bulldogs are now 7-5 on the year and 4-4 in KCAC play. They be back on the hardwood on Monday afternoon, for their final home game of the fall semester, taking on the Ottawa University Braves at 3:00 pm.
