On a special Tuesday night of Bulldog basketball, the McPherson College women’s basketball team is hosting Oklahoma Wesleyan University in the final KCAC game before the New Year. Tipoff for the contest is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT) It is Community Appreciation Night in the Sport Center so all Bulldog fans get free admission.
Scouting McPherson
After starting the KCAC season with a back-to-back wins, the Lady ‘Dogs have gone into a slump. First they were hit with the heartbreaking losses, two by less than three total points, but in their last two games MC has faced some hot-shooting teams, as was the case in their most recent competition coming against KCAC No. 1 Tabor College this past Saturday.
Last Time Out – There wasn’t a whole lot that went right for the Bulldogs in the first quarter against TC as they trailed 20-9 after shooting 14.3% from the floor and recording seven turnovers. The second was an improvement but MC still struggled hitting shots and that was not the case for the home team Bluejays who headed into the locker room up 40-23. McPherson trailed by 20+ for nearly the entire third period and then kept things under 30 points in the final quarter, cumulating in a 79-56 defeat. Mac knocked down just 16-of-55 from the floor, 29.1%, with 3-of-13 threes; they made just 21-of-35 from the charity stripe. The ‘Dogs had 41 rebounds with 19 coming on the offensive side of the court; they also recorded 16 turnovers, five steals, and just three assists.
Ashton Bruner led all scoring with 16 points on 6-of-17 field goals and just 4-of-13 from the line; she also grabbed 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the year. Bailey Brown scored 12 with the majority coming from the charity stripe where she was a perfect 8-of-8; the senior made 2-of-8 from the floor. Kristina Battle added eight points to the cause while Brooke Racette and Taryn Lee each tallied seven points.
Year at a Glance – The Bulldogs are averaging a conference fifth best 65.7 points a game but allow 70.4 for a negative 4.7 scoring margin. The team knocks down 39.3% from the floor, third in the league, but net a poor 26.6 percent from range; their 68.4 free throw percentage is fourth in the KCAC. They pull down over 40 rebounds a night and have a positive rebounding margin of 4.9, both are second in the conference. Mac also averages 20.0 turnovers, 11.2 assists, 8.2 steals, and 3.3 blocks every time they touch the court.
Brown, who has led the team in scoring for nearly every game this season, has scored 203 points on the year, 19thhighest in the NAIA D-II; she has made an impressive 83-of-99 free throws and also averages nearly five rebounds a game. Bruner, a McPherson native, is next on the scoring list at 12.3ppg and is also the top ‘Dog in rebounds with 107 on the year for an 8.9 average; her 6.8 defensive rebound average is 18th in the nation. Georgia Smart scores 7.8 points each game she’s on the court and also tallies 4.5 rebounds.
The Lady Bulldogs will have their last home game of 2015 on Thursday the 17th against Southwestern Christian University, tipping off at 5:30 p.m. It is Cedars Night in the Sport Center as McPherson College welcomes all residents of the Cedars to the game for free.
