McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) – The KCAC season has begun, but the McPherson College Bulldogs found themselves on the wrong side of the decision Saturday (Nov. 17), falling 89-86 to Southwestern College inside Holman Fieldhouse.
Jamil Hardaway had an exceptional first half, drilling five of his seven three-point attempts. MC shot 50 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes en route to a 50-46 lead at the break.
However, the momentum shifted after halftime, as the Moundbuilders quickly erased the narrow lead, then grabbed a 67-60 advantage with less than 12 minutes to play on the heels of a 10-0 burst.
An and-one by Aaron Williams Jr., followed by baskets by Dallas Metzger and Collin Storr pulled the Bulldogs even once again, then the teams traded baskets over the next five minutes, until a triple by Evan Barber gave the Builders an 81-77 advantage with less than five minutes to play.
Hardaway’s sixth three of the game again brought the Bulldogs within striking distance, but back-to-back layups by Barber gave the Builders a lead they would never relinquish. The Bulldogs had one last chance, but a last-second triple by Williams to tie the game missed the target.
The Bulldogs were led in the scoring column by Hardaway with 18 points, while Antonio Watson added 18 points. Williams finished with 13 points, and Storr recorded 10 points. Curtis Rose finished with five assists, and a team-high six rebounds.
On the other side, Barber led the Moundbuilders with 26 points and five assists, while Zach Hidalgo added 21 points and 17 rebounds, 10 of which came on the offensive end. Hidalgo also recorded a team-best six assists.
The Builders shot 44 percent from the field, and were 10-for-28 from beyond the arc. SC also outrebounded the Bulldogs 47-22 with an 18-4 advantage on the offensive glass. Trey Abasolo added seven offensive boards to go along with 14 points.
MC tied their season-high with nine steals, led by Storr with three. Watson and Charles Snyder each added two steals apiece. Snyder also finished with two of the Bulldogs’ four offensive rebounds. Tarrance Austin had arguably his best game as a Bulldog, scoring a season-high eight points, but was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and drilled his lone three-point attempt.
The Bulldogs are back in action Wednesday (Nov. 20) with a trip to Salina to take on (RV) Kansas Wesleyan University. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
