Photo by Junior Silva
York, Neb. – The McPherson College men's basketball team picked up a big road win on Saturday, outlasting the York College Panthers on their home floor, 77-66.
Like the game on Thursday at home against Friends University, the Bulldogs played a complete game, winning both halves of play. The first half was tight with four ties, and eight lead changes during the 20 minutes of action. The largest lead for the Panthers was six, coming at the 13:59 mark, and for the Bulldogs their largest lead was seven 42-35 at the end of the half.
In the second half the game was tied just once and the lead changed hands twice. At the 14:44 mark, the Bulldogs had their largest lead of the game, eight points, 51-43, but the Panthers went on a 9-0 run to retake the lead 52-51 with 12:24 left on the clock. At the 11:05 mark, the game was tied at 53, but on the next Bulldog possession, Jason Okoro put the Bulldogs up 55-53, and they would not relinquish the lead again.
They took a double digit lead, 74-64 with 1:18 remaining, and when the clock hit zeros, the Bulldogs had an 11 point advantage.
Key Statistic
Like the women's game, the Bulldog men made the Panthers pay when they turned the ball over. York coughed it up 18 times, resulting in 22 points for the Bulldogs.
By the Numbers
The Bulldogs didn't shoot the ball particularly well from the floor, especially in the second half. For the game they made 26 of 69 attempts (37%), but in the second half they were just 8 of 27.
From behind the three point line they were 6 of 17 (35%).
They made their money at the free throw line. They were 2 of 2 in the first half, but in the second half they went to the line 20 times, making 17 of them.
Four Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Josh Rivers who finished with 16.
The Bulldogs won the turnover battle 8-18, and out-rebounded the Panthers 42-36.
Bulldog Leaders
Points: Josh Rivers (16)
Rebounds: Ja'Quan Chestnut, Christian Aguillard (7)
Assists: Jason Okoro (5)
Steals: Jason Okoro (4)
Blocks: None
Coaches Quote
"It was great to finish out a three game week with a road win. It's so hard to win on the road in conference and it takes toughness to get it done. Our focus was good from the start. Even when York made some runs we answered. Josh Rivers, Jason Okoro, and Christian Aguillard I thought all made big plays on the offensive end late in the game for us. I'm just proud of this whole group. Now we have a little time off before a huge game against one of the top 5 teams in the country in Oklahoma Wesleyan." – Coach Eskildsen
Next Up
With the win, the Bulldogs move to 16-9 overall, and 11-8 in the KCAC. They get a much needed break, not playing again until next Saturday when they host the OKWU Eagles at the Sport Center at 5:00 pm.
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