Photo by Natalia Ahrens
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men's basketball team lost a tough game at home to the #22 Bethel College Threshers on Saturday night 87-73.
The Bulldogs trailed the Threshers by five late in the first half, but a four point play by Kemryn Jenkins (Sr. Eminence, KY) at the buzzer, sent the Bulldogs into the locker room only down by 1, 36-35.
In the second half, the Threshers wore the Bulldogs down. It didn't help, that MC was without one of their best shooters, Travon Shelvin (Jr. Houston, Texas), who left the game in the first half with an injury, and didn't return.
The Threshers out-scored the Bulldogs in the second half 51-38 to finish with a 14 point advantage. One highlight for the Bulldogs was the play of Jason Okoro (So. Lagos, Nigeria), who has missed several games of late with a nagging injury. Against the Threshers, Okoro came off the bench and scored 14 points on 7 of 12 shooting.
Key Statistic
Turnovers were the Bulldogs' undoing. They coughed the ball up 18 times, and Bethel was able to capitalize to the tune of 17 second chance points.
By the Numbers
The Bulldogs shot 39% from the floor, but were held to just five made three pointers, half of their season average of 10.24.
The Bulldogs won the battle of the boards, 48 to 41 which included 18 offensive rebounds.
Only two Bulldogs were able to score in double figures, while the Threshers had five players reach that plateau.
Myles McCrary (So. Arlington, Texas) had a career high 17 rebounds, including a career high 7 offensive boards.
Bulldog Leaders
Points: Kemryn Jenkins (21)
Rebounds: Myles McCrary (17)
Assists: Rock Hardison (4)
Steals: Gage Maccoy, Kemryn Jenkins, Fred Watts, Josh Rivers (1)
Blocks: Myles McCrary (2)
Coach Quote
"That was a tough loss at home. I felt like turnovers were the real difference in the game. Bethel is so good in transition. Live ball turnovers against them will really come back to haunt you. I was proud of our effort on the glass. We just need to be able to convert those opportunities into points. We have another quick turnaround going to a very good Southwestern on Monday. If we keep competing for each other good things will happen"
 Next Up
 Like Coach Eskildsen said, the Bulldogs are back at it again on Monday, going on the road to play Southwestern in the storied Steward Field House in Winfield, Kansas. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 pm.
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