BUHLER, Kan. – The McPherson Bullpup basketball teams traveled to Buhler for a Valentine’s Day rivalry matchup against the Crusaders, splitting the doubleheader.
GIRLS
Buhler – 60
McPherson – 23
A short-handed Bullpup squad who was without some key members due to injury or illness fell on the road against the Crusaders by 37 points 60-23. Buhler’s defense was tough to handle in the contest as they turned turnovers into offense the other direction.
McPherson trailed 23-6 following the first quarter. They tried to push back in the second quarter, but a late run by Buhler put them up 33-14 at halftime. They trailed by 33 at the end of the third to force a running clock in the 4th.
The Bullpups fall to 6-9 overall on the season, 2-4 against AVCTL Div. 3 opponents.
Points: B. Doile – 8, E. Bower – 4, B. Littlejohn – 4, Jersey Alexander – 4, A. Lowery – 2, L. Hampton, 1
BOYS
McPherson – 80
Buhler – 46
Senior guard Gabe Pyle had a record-breaking night at Jim Baker Fieldhouse, scoring 44 points and hitting 11 three-pointers. The 44 points tied George Czaplinski’s mark from March 8, 1962, becoming only the second Bullpup to ever score at least 40 points in a game. The 11 three’s shattered Brian Henson’s record of 8 in 1990. Coincidentally, Henson’s mark happened at Buhler as well.
The Bullpups started with an 11-0 lead, but Buhler was able to cut it to within three just minutes later. The Crusaders would not get any closer as the Bullpups led 18-12 after the first quarter and pushed that to a 38-24 halftime lead. The final four minutes would go into a running clock, giving McPherson their 34-point victory.
Gabe Pyle’s historic game overshadowed key performances from Jett Pyle, who finished with 15 points, as well as Ian Razak ending with 13 points.
The Bullpups improve to 13-2 on the season, remaining undefeated against AVCTL Div. 3 teams at 6-0.
Points: G. Pyle – 44, J. Pyle – 15, I. Razak – 13, B. Brown – 4, A. Malm – 2, D. Becker – 2.
Weather permitting, McPherson is scheduled to have three games the following week, starting with a rescheduled game at Hays Monday, Feb. 17.
