Bulldogs Struggle to Make Shots in Loss to Friends

Photo by Jakob Komel

McPherson, Kan. – It was a tough shooting night for the McPherson College women's basketball team as they fall at home on Thursday night 72-54 to the Friends University Falcons.

The Bulldogs couldn't get shots to fall with any regularity and the Falcons got career performances from two of their players. A recipe for disaster that led to the visitors winning all four quarters on the scoreboard.

At the end of the first quarter the Bulldogs trailed by just three points, 17-14, but as the teams headed into the locker rooms, the Falcon lead had grown to seven points, 35-28. Out of the break, the Bulldogs played even with Friends for the majority of the third quarter. They still trailed by seven late in the period, but a couple of late buckets by the Falcons pushed the lead out to 11, 54-43.

In the final period, the Bulldogs had little life left. They couldn't find a rhythm offensively, and on defense they gave up some easy baskets to the Falcons. Friends out-scored the Bulldogs in the final 10 minutes, 18-11, to win going away by 18 points.

Key Statistic

The Bulldogs, who usually fare well in the paint, were held to just 30 points. Friends had a couple of six foot plus centers patrolling the paint, coming away with 11 blocked shots.

By the Numbers

The Bulldogs were 22 of 78 from the floor (28%), and were just 5 of 27 from beyond the three point arc. (19%).

They shot well below their average from the free throw line, going 0-4 in the first half, and 5 of 10 in the second (35%).

Just two Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by a 15 point performance by Brittany Roberts, and 10 from TiJanae' Simmons.

The Bulldogs lost the turnover battle 12-11, but out-rebounded the Falcons 53-47.

Bulldog Leaders

Points: Brittany Roberts (15)

Rebounds: Brittany Roberts (18)      

Assists: Dy'mond McElrath (6)

Steals: Brittany Roberts, Maison Moseley (2)

Blocks: Brittany Roberts (1)                                                            

Coaches Quote:

"We didn't shoot it well tonight at all. When shots aren't falling you have to tighten up on the defensive end. Unfortunately we didn't get stops we needed. Thought we lacked the energy we needed to complete at our best." – Coach Nichols

 Next Up

The loss drops the Bulldogs to 12-12 overall, and 9-9 in the KCAC. They will be on the road Saturday afternoon at 3:00 in York, Nebraska for a match-up with the York Panthers.