McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — The McPherson College Bulldogs secured their biggest win of the season Saturday (Jan. 6), knocking off the number sixth-ranked team in the country in Southwestern College 86-83 inside the Sport Center. The win snaps a five-game losing skid to the Moundbuilders dating back to the 2020-21 season.
“I’m extremely proud of our guys and the toughness they showed tonight” head coach T.J. Eskildsen said. Southwestern is one of the best teams in the country and we were able to make just enough plays to win the game. Our whole team was focused and bought in all night.”
Owen Braxmeyer led the Bulldogs (11-3, 6-2 KCAC) with a season-high 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Curtis Rose added 22 points, eight boards, and three assists. Jerome Mabry finished with 15 points and four rebounds, and Antonio Watson added 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Collin Storr rounded out the balanced scoring with 11 points and a team-high 15 rebounds.
With the scored knotted at 81-81 with less than a minute to play, Rose called his own number, drilling a 15-foot jumper from the left wing. The Moundbuilders had chance late, but Braxmeyer forced Cevin Clark into a contested three from the top of the key. Then, Storr iced the game, connecting on three of his four free throw attempts down the stretch.
MC shot 40.5 percent (30-for-74) from the field, and were 10-for-25 from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs were also 16-for-20 from the free throw line.
“We will enjoy this win tonight and get ready for another tough conference opponent on the road Wednesday at Tabor,” Eskildsen said.
It was a game of runs in the first half, with Southwestern using the longball to go on a 14-0 run to lead 27-15 with 8:24 left in the opening frame. However, back-to-back layups by Braxmeyer sparked a 10-0 burst by the Bulldogs to bring them within two, forcing the Moundbuilders to take a timeout.
Out of the timeout, Southwestern connected on a pair of threes by Trey White and Clark to grab another double digit lead 35-25, but back-to-back triples by Braxmeyer sparked another 14-0 spurt by the Bulldog capped off by a banked in three by Rose to lead 47-45 at the break.
Clark led the Moundbuilders (11-2, 6-2 KCAC) with 24 points, but was just 2-for-9 from beyond the arc. Andrew O’Brien added 14 points and seven assists, while Justin DeMaria finished with 12 points.
The Bulldogs are back in action on Wednesday (Jan. 10) when they travel to Hillsboro, Kan. to take on Tabor College. MC will return to the Sport Center Saturday (Jan. 13) for a showdown with York University.
