Kansas City, Missouri – On Sunday evening, the Bulldogs took on the Kansas City Roos for an contest outside of the NAIA. Kansas City, an NCAA Division I institution, came into the contest struggling in the first half of their season. Their last two contests were losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, whereas the Bulldogs had won five of their last six games.
The Basics
Location: Swinney Center
Score: MC 78, UMKC 91
How it Happened
This exhibition featured a very competitive first half from the Bulldogs as McPherson had shot nearly 60% from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc. The Kansas City Roos shot converted just about half of their shot attempts but were able to find a good amount of point from their three-point attempts (8-14).
Kansas City started the game off with a 15-4 run that displayed the Roos' ability to shoot from range as 12 of their 15 opening points came off of three pointers; the other three points came from Karmello Branch's trip to the line after being fouled on an attempt from range. After head coach TJ Eskildsen made personnel changes on the floor, the Bulldogs sparked a 12-2 run that got them right back in it at 17-16.
Dash Johnson's triple at the 12:36 mark of the first half gave McPherson their first lead at 24-23. For the duration of the half, the margin wouldn't grow more than two possessions regardless of whichever side held the lead, but it was
KJ Marshall giving the Bulldogs a 50-49 lead following his close-range jumper with seconds ticking away just before the halftime horn.
The second half is what separated these two teams; despite both team's losing offensive efficiency, McPherson's rate fell significantly lower as the Bulldogs shot just 30% and found just one three pointer of nine attempts. A note to mention from the second half box score was Kansas City's 20 free throw attempts compared to McPherson's 10, to which the Roos converted 17 of their shots. McPherson held themselves to 12 turnovers, but Kansas City found 17 points off of the possession changes.
Despite putting up a phenomenal test against this Division I opponent, the Roos managed to hold on for the 91-78 victory over McPherson College.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be back on the road to Missouri in the year of 2026. They'll take on Evangel University in the AGFinanical Arena on January 3
rd at 2:00 PM.
