Winfield, Kan. – On Saturday, the Bulldogs traveled to Southwestern College to take on the Moundbuilders in their opening KCAC matchup. Following their first loss of the season the previous Wednesday, the Bulldogs sought after their first KCAC win since their 2023-2024 campaign.
The Basics
Location: Stewart Fieldhouse
Score: MC 70, SC 66
Records: MC 6-1 (KCAC 1-0), SC 3-2 (KCAC 0-1)
How it Happened
McPherson fell behind early in the opening quarter after Southwestern knocked down two of their first three attempts from long range. The Bulldogs responded behind a huge 10-point quarter from Mikah Hammerquist, who was perfect from beyond the arc (3-3) and went three for five from the field to help McPherson take a 16-7 lead into the second quarter.
The Bulldogs kept rolling in the second frame, using a 23-point outburst to carry a 39-20 advantage into the locker room. Maizen Gillam powered the offense in the quarter, going three of four from the floor and one of two on three-point attempts. As a team, McPherson shot 53% from the field in the quarter, while holding Southwestern to just 34% and no three-point attempts made. Defensively, the Bulldogs were able to force nine turnovers out of the Moundbuilders and find eight points off of them back the other way in the half.
Southwestern cut into McPherson’s lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 23-18. The Moundbuilders’ Macey Pond once again led her team in scoring with nine points and three rebounds in the frame. For McPherson, Olivia Bell poured in 11 of her 23 points in the quarter, knocking down her lone three-point attempt and going a perfect four of four at the stripe.
The Moundbuilders continue to chip away at the Bulldogs lead in the fourth. Hammerquist opened the scoring to push the lead to 16, but Southwestern answered with five straight points to trim the margin to 11. A late surge by the Moundbuilders brought them within two on two separate occasions in the final three minutes, but the Bulldogs refused to break. Bell converted a key layup to stretch the lead to 70-66, effectively sealing the victory for McPherson.
Up Next
McPherson will be back at Holman Fieldhouse on Wednesday to host Kansas Wesleyan. Tipoff is slated for 6:00 PM.
