McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — Jamil Hardaway matched his previous career-high for the second consecutive game, scoring 22 points to lead the Bulldogs past the Bethany College Swedes 77-76 Saturday night (Feb. 10) inside the Sport Center. The win snaps a two-game losing skid.
The Bulldogs finished with a season-high 21 turnovers, compared to just nine giveaways by Bethany College. The Swedes scored 25 points off turnovers.
Curtis Rose added 18 points, a career-high nine rebounds, and four assists. Collin Storr secured his team-leading 13th double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds.
McPherson led by as many as 15 with 16:47, after a steal by Hardaway led to a layup by Collin Storr. But turnovers by the Bulldogs helped Bethany use a 16-2 burst over the next 5:30, trimming the lead to 53-52.
Six quick points by the Bulldogs pushed the lead back to seven with just under ten minutes to play before another 12-2 run by the Swedes gave them a 64-61 lead. Consecutive threes by Rose, put the Bulldogs on top 67-66, but a layup by Will Dominguez again gave the Swedes a one-point lead with under five minutes left in regulation.
Bethany held a 76-73 lead with 1:46 to play before a foul by Ty Eugene sent Owen Braxmeyer to the line to trim the lead to one.
Maurice Cudjo missed a 15-foot jumper from the left side, giving the Bulldogs one last chance. Rose drove down the lane, and flipped it to Storr for the layup.
Braxmeyer finished with a team-high six assists, and pulled down nine rebounds.
The Bulldogs shot 43.9 percent from the field, and were 33.3 percent from distance. McPherson also finished with 18 offensive rebounds and scored 19 second chance points.
McPherson hit the road Wednesday (Feb. 14) to take on Ottawa University. The Bulldogs won the first meeting against the Braves 93-81. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
