McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) – Tarrance Austin scored a career-high 30 points to lead the McPherson College Bulldogs to an 87-83 win over Avila University Saturday inside the Holman Fieldhouse.
Austin scored 15 points at the free-throw line, including five timely shots down the stretch to keep the Bulldogs on top and get back on track in the KCAC standings.
The Bulldogs led by as many as 16 points with under 16 minutes to play in the game, but Avila stormed back on the heels of a 12-2 burst over the next two and a half minutes to trim the lead to 58-52.
MC again extended the lead back to ten, but the Eagles made one last push cutting the Bulldog advantage to 84-81 with 41 seconds to play. Austin’s timely free throws gave the Bulldogs their sixth KCAC win in the last seven games.
Charles Snyder added 14 points and a pair of steals, while Jamil Hardaway finished with 13 points, thanks to 3-for-4 shooting from the perimeter. Collin Storr notched his second consecutive double-double and fifth of the season with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
The Eagles were led by 27 points and eight rebounds from Brennan Jeffries, while Jordan Majeed added 14 points. MC held the Eagles leading scorer, Xavier Kahube to just nine points.
Things were back-and-forth in the early going of the first half, until a quick 16-1 run made it a 21-9 Bulldog edge with under ten minutes to play in the opening frame.
MC had 11 offensive rebounds in the first half that turned into ten points, and forced the Eagles into eight first-half turnovers. The Bulldogs scored 44 of their 87 points in the paint, while 22 MC points came at the free throw line.
With the win, the Bulldogs (8-10, 6-6 KCAC) moved into a tie for seventh place with Avila. The top eight make the KCAC Tournament. The Bulldog will take on Sterling College Wednesday (Jan. 22) inside Holman Fieldhouse. MC holds a one game lead over the Warriors in the KCAC standings.
