York, Nebraska – After suffering their first loss in over a month on Saturday, the Bulldogs headed up North to take on the Panthers of York University for a midweek KCAC matchup. Approaching the end of the regular season, McPherson held a share of second place in the KCAC standings and sought after their 15
th conference victory.
The Basics
Location: Freeman Center
Records: MC 19-6 (15-4 KCAC), YU 2-23 (2-17 KCAC)
Scores: MC 86, YU 76
How it Happened
Despite a tough season for the Panthers with just two wins under their belt, York had played tough against the Bulldogs. In their previous matchup, McPherson needed extra basketball for their 108-104 victory in the Holman Fieldhouse. It was crucial that the Bulldogs started off quick on the road following their loss to Saint Mary.
McPherson's
KJ Marshall had the first bucket of the game with a layup at the 19:17 mark of the opening half for the initial lead. York's triple to open up their scoring had lifted them ahead of the visitors; they held onto the lead for more than ten minutes as McPherson trailed behind. The largest deficit they had faced in this run was seven points at the 13:42 mark of the half, before eventually knotting the game at 20-20 following
Quran McKinney's jumper at 7:57. McKinney took the remaining time left in the half to lead McPherson back into the driver's seat; the Houston, TX native finished with 13 points in the half. The Bulldogs took a 47-36 lead into the halftime break.
York had worked their way to a tie at the 8:48 mark with the score at 66-66, but McPherson ultimately held strong in the second half. Although their deep ball wasn't falling, the visitors shot 52% from the field in the half with McKinney leading the way with nine points in the half. He would finish the game with 22 points and converted 9-14 shots from the floor. The Bulldogs left the Freeman Center with an 86-76 victory over the Panthers.
A big statistic for McPherson was the little number of turnovers they had in this contest with just four, forcing 10 out of the Panthers on their home court.
Up Next
McPherson hits the road for the final time in the regular season for a massive matchup with Friends University in the Garvey Center this Saturday on February 14
th at 5:00 PM.
