McPherson, Kan – Heading into the closing stages of the regular season, the Bulldogs hosted the Braves of Ottawa University for a KCAC battle in the Holman Fieldhouse. McPherson had won seven straight games prior to this contest and remained second in the KCAC standings behind 3rd nationally ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan.
The Basics
Location: Holman Fieldhouse
Records: MC 17-5 (13-3 KCAC), OU 10-12 (6-10 KCAC)
Score: MC 93, OU 86
How it Happened
In a high-scoring first half, the Bulldogs were able to maintain a lead over the visitors for a large majority of the opening 20 minutes of action. McPherson’s shooting percentage sat at 50% (18-36) while the Braves opened with a 54% rate from the floor (15-28).
KJ Marshall was the standout of the first half as he finished with a near double-double of 18 points and seven rebounds; he also contributed multiple dunks that could have easily snapped the rim off the backboard. Joe Gonzales put up 11 points in the half while Korbin Gunn’s three triples and lone free throw totaled 10 points.
Ottawa’s first half points came primarily from their pair of Jackson’s: Jackson Esary and Jackson Harding. Each of them would total 11 points with a rate of 50% or higher.
Based off the box score, the difference of the 46-40 halftime score was McPherson’s two extra three pointers over the Braves; however, the Bulldogs had three more steals than the Braves in the half, leading to extra possessions on the other end.
The second half story would be written by Gunn and JD Talley as the pair combined for 37 points of the 47 scored in the half. Talley’s 17 points were accompanied by two big-time steals and four rebounds in the remaining 20 minutes of play; he also sank every single attempt that he took in the half (6-6), including his shots from beyond the arc (2-2).
The lead pinballed eight times between the two sides in the second half, but McPherson’s run with just under four minutes left in the game was too much to handle for the Braves. Talley and Gunn sealed the deal for the Bulldogs in the closing minutes of the game to help lead McPherson to the 93-86 victory.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be back in the Holman Fieldhouse this Wednesday to face the Swedes of Bethany College on February 4th at 8:00 PM.
