Salina, Kan. – McPherson headed north on Wednesday night for a showdown with the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes. Both teams looked to build on their success coming off of wins over the weekend. The Bulldogs secured a hard-fought win over Southwestern, while the Coyotes put together a dominate win over Avila.
The Basics
Location: Mabee Arena
Score: MC 55, KWU 86
Records: MC 8-9 (KCAC 3-8), KWU 9-8 (KCAC 6-5)
How it Happened
The Bulldogs struggled offensively to open the game, shooting just 13% from the field and failing to connect from beyond the arc in the first quarter. Kansas Wesleyan's Jocelyn Hall converted on a pair of early layups to give the Coyotes a four-point lead, which they continued to build throughout the frame. A 10-0 run in the final two minutes pushed the Coyotes' advantage to 16 before
Isabella Rosa trimmed the deficit to 14 with a late two pointer, sending the Bulldogs into the second quarter down 21-7.
Kansas Wesleyan began the second quarter with another four quick points to extend its lead to 18.
Margaret Ajayi and
Maizen Gillam responded for McPherson with five combined points. The Bulldogs went on to produce their best offensive quarter of the night, shooting 41% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. Despite the improved output, Kansas Wesleyan outscored McPherson 22-21 and carried a 43-28 lead into halftime.
Following the break, McPherson cut the deficit to 11 (their smallest margin of the night) behind a 7-3 run highlighted by a three-pointer form Gillam and a defensive effort that include a pair of steals and a block. The Bulldogs managed just six points over the final 6:31 of the frame, while Kansas Wesleyan added 14 to take a convincing 60-41 lead into the final quarter.
Raegan McDonald scored the Coyotes' first basket of the fourth quarter, jumpstarting an impressive offensive stretch that saw Kansas Wesleyan shoot 58% from the floor and connect on two of three attempts from deep. On the other end, McPherson shot 30% from the field, including one of seven from beyond the arc. Kansas Wesleyan closed out their dominate performance with an 11-1 run to secure an 86-55 victory over the Bulldogs.
Maizen Gillam paced McPherson with to points, her second-highest total of the season, while also adding four rebounds, two steals, and an assist.
Margaret Ajayi and
Amyah Williams-Woodmore led the Bulldogs on the glass with nine rebounds each.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will travel to Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday for a midday matchup with the Avila Eagles. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 PM.
