The McPherson College men’s basketball team had a tough second-half shooting night which led to an 80-71 loss to Ottawa University on the last game before Thanksgiving Break.
Tuesday’s game stayed close throughout the opening 10 minutes with each team holding the lead multiple times. Midway through the half OU went on an 11-2 run to extend their advantage to nine points, the largest of the half. Mac fought back and got within a bucket but headed into the half down 37-33. The ‘Dogs connected on 12-of-20 from two-point land but were just 2-of-13 from distance; they put up four free throws, making three. Ottawa made 12-of-36 from the floor with 3-of-11 three balls; the team dropped in 10-of-13 foul shots.
Mac chipped away at their deficit and after five minutes had gone by, the Bulldogs tied things up at 46-46. McPherson took the lead and got up by as many as four but a run by Ottawa put the Braves back on top. After a few traded leads, OU pushed their advantage to double figures, peaking at 13. The Braves converted their foul shots late to hold off the Bulldogs and claim the 80-72 win. MC did not shoot the ball well in the second half, netting just 9-of-32 with 4-of-13 three pointers; the team made 17-of-22 free throws. Ottawa increased their shooting percentage with a 10-of-25 showing in the second; they hit 2-of-7 threes and 21-of-27 foul shots.
The ‘Dogs logged a 35.4 field goal percentage for the game with 23-of-65 field goals finding their way through; they were just 6-of-26 from long range and 20-of-26 from the line. Mac tied OU in rebounds with 44 total; they had 11 offensive boards. The Bulldogs had an even 13 assists and 13 turnovers along with six steals and a block.
Chris Crook led the group of four double-digit scorers with 15 points; he made 3-of-8 field goals and all eight of his free throws. Ryan O’Hara put in 4-of-11 from the floor and a perfect 4-of-4 from the stripe for his 14 points. Ramon Martinezscored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting with 3-of-4 foul shots; he also had 11 total rebounds and a pair of assists. Chris Lowe, who had 11 points in the opening period, ended the game with 12 on a 50% shooting night, 5-of-10 field goals and 1-of-2 free throws.
McPherson will travel to Bellevue, Nebraska for a classic hosted by Bellevue University. The ‘Dogs are scheduled to play York College on November 27th and then College of the Ozarks on Saturday.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
