Bulldogs Outlast Bethel in KCAC Opening Round

Photo by Jakob Komel

McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's basketball team opened the 2022 KCAC Women's Basketball Championships with an exciting 69-65 win at home over the Bethel College Threshers.

The Bulldogs had a nine point lead in the first half, and a 14 point lead in the second half, but the Threshers refused to go away. Bethel's Alex Bearup put her team on her back, and led all scorers with 26 points.

The Bulldogs opened with a seven point lead, 17-10, at the end of the first quarter. At the midway point of the second they led 26-17, but Bethel scored eight of the last 12 points in the half, to cut the Bulldog lead to four, 29-25 as the two teams made their way to the locker rooms at the halftime intermission.

After the break, the Bulldogs methodically pushed their lead out to 14 points, 40-26 with 5:00 minutes to go in the third quarter. The Threshers started chipping away at the Bulldog lead again, but at the end of the period they still trailed by ten, 48-38.

At the 6:04 mark in the final period, the Bulldogs had extended their lead back out to 14 points, 60-46 on a deep three pointer by Madelyn Hankins. Bethel came right back and hit back to back three pointers and just like the Bulldog lead was down to eight in the span of a minute. The Threshers went on a 13 to 2 run and trailed by just three points, 62-59 with 55 seconds left.

Ja'Kia Wells drove down the left side of the lane and made a key lay-up to put the Bulldogs up five on the next possession, but Bearup responded with a huge three point to make the score 64-62 with just 27 seconds remaining. The Threshers were forced to foul, and they sent Maison Moseley to the line where she made both free throws to put the Bulldogs back up by four, 66-62.

Once again, Bearup found space, and hit another three pointer from the top of the key, giving the Threshers life. They fouled again and this time TiJanae' Simmons hit a pair of free throws to force Bethel into taking a three pointer to tie the game. Bearup had the ball about 10 feet past the three point arc, but the Bulldogs weren't going to give her another open look. She was forced to give the ball up, and MC's Victoria Ates deflected the pass, and it wound up in the hands of Dy'mond McElrath. She was fouled with just two clicks on the clock. She made one of two making the score 69-65, the winning margin.

By the Numbers

The Bulldogs shot 45% from the floor, making 24 of 53 attempts.

From beyond the three point arc, they knocked down 8 of 19 (42%).

At the charity stripe they were at 62% making 12 of 21 tries.

Three Bulldogs scored in double figures.

The Bulldogs lost the turnover battle 16-13, and were beat on the boards, 34-33.

Bulldog Leaders

Points: Brittany Roberts (16)

Rebounds: Brittany Roberts (10)      

Assists: Brittany Roberts, TiJanae' Simmons (4)

Steals: Brittany Roberts (4)

Blocks: Ja'Kia Wells (2)                                                                    

Coach's Quote:

"Great playoff environment tonight. Hats off the Bethel and their fans. Defensively we were pretty good all night I thought. Bearup hit some huge shots for them all night. We shot the ball well, only 53 shot attempts way under what we need to get up. Iced the game from the line. Now we regroup and get ready for Sterling on Wednesday."– Coach Nichols

Next Up

With the win, the Bulldogs move to 17-14 overall. They will get a rematch with Sterling, who defeated them in the second to last regular season game, less than a week ago. The game is back in Sterling, on Wednesday night in at 7:00 pm.