McPherson, Kan. – Following a 249-day gap of no McPherson College women’s basketball, the Bulldogs opened the 2025-26 season on Wednesday night with a matchup against the Hesston College Larks. Following a winless campaign the year prior, new leadership created a great deal of anticipation for the home opener.
The Basics
Location: Holman Fieldhouse
Score: MC 81, HC 79
Records: MC 1-0 (KCAC 0-0) HC 0-1 (CAC 0-0)
How it Happened
McPherson started out fast, with Isabella Rosa scoring all four points of the Bulldogs’ early attack. Hesston, however, responded quickly with six unanswered to grab a 8-4 lead. The Bulldogs fought back behind Dana Imankulova, who went a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, and a timely three pointer from Amaree Henderson to take a four-point advantage. Hesston battled back to tie the game at 14, forcing Coach Moorehead to call a timeout. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, and Olivia Bell capped the quarter by sinking two free throws to send the teams into the second quarter all tied up at 24.
The Bulldogs opened the second quarter by reclaiming the lead, stretching their advantage to seven points on baskets from Dana Parker, Amyah Williams-Woodmore, Rosa, and Imankulova. Hesston responded with a strong offensive push to take a four-point lead, but Bell trimmed the deficit to two with a late jumper. The Larks held a slim 43-41 lead as the teams headed into the halftime break.
Coming out of the break, Hesston went on an 11-1 run to extend their lead to 12 points. McPherson gradually chipped away, cutting the deficit to four, but the Larks answered with four quick points to push the margin back out. Bell hit another late basket to send the Bulldogs into the final quarter down 59-63.
Hesston opened the fourth quarter by building another lead, but McPherson fought back behind five points from Bell, narrowing the gap back to four. The teams traded buckets late until Reaghan Borman tied the game at 79 -79 with just 21 seconds remaining. On the next possession Bowman stole the ball and drove down the court, drawing a foul on her layup. She calmly sank both free throws giving McPherson an 81-79 lead. Hesston took one final shot as the horn buzzed, coming up short and sealing the Bulldogs thrilling victory.
Senior Olivia Bell led the way with 21 points, and was tied for the team lead in assists with Imankulova, each recording four. As a team, McPherson shot 35.9 percent from the field (28-78) and 20 percent from three-point range (5-25), while going 20-29 from the free throw line. Defensively, Bell led the team with three steals, while the team was narrowly outrebounded by Hesston, 50-51.
Up Next
McPherson will be back at home on Friday night as they host the McPherson Classic. They’ll face off against Randall University on Friday at 7:00 PM and Cottey College on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
