TOWANDA, Kan. – McPherson High School’s Boys Basketball team traveled to Towanda on Tuesday, Feb. 17, using a first-half run to beat Circle on the road 59-28.
Tuesday’s game turned into a foul-fest, as both teams were whistled for 22 fouls each. The high foul marks put McPherson at the free-throw line a season-high 32 times, converting on 25 attempts, also a season-high. Circle went only 11-23 at the stripe.
The Bullpups used a high-tempo offense and disrupted passing lanes to balloon to an early lead, holding a 22-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter and leading 40-13 at halftime. Circle was able to find more open shots in the second half, but the deficit was already too much, giving McPherson the win and keeping them in first place in league play.
Despite the early high-scoring mark, Tuesday’s game marked the first time they did not make a three-point shot. Defensively, McPherson limited Circle to making only eight baskets, with only one of them being a three-pointer, both season lows.
The Bullpups move to 12-8 on the season, 6-1 in AVCTL-3 play. They’ll travel to face Augusta on Friday, Feb. 20. In the first matchup in the Roundhouse back on Jan. 6, McPherson defeated Augusta 60-55.
SCORING BREAKDOWN
McPherson: 22-18-13-6 — 59
Circle: 6-7-9-6 — 28
McPherson:
- Team: 17 FG Made, 0 3PT Made, 25-32 FT
- Individual: Pyle 17 (2 FG, 13-16 FT), Cooper 12 (5 FG, 2-2 FT), Malm 7 (2 FG, 3-4 FT), Reasoner 7 (2 FG, 3-4 FT), Strathman 5 (1 FG, 3-4 FT), Becker 4 (2 FG), Harrison 3 (1 FG, 1-1 FT), Ingels 2 (1 FG), Pelzel 2 (1 FG)
Circle:
- Team: 8 FG Made, 1 3PT Made, 11-23 FT
- Individual: Boldra 9 (3 FG, 1 3PT, 2-2 FT), A. Helmer 7 (2 FG, 3-6 FT), Johnson 4 (2 FG), Gilbertson 3 (1 FG, 1-3 FT), Sigg 2 (2-6 FT), Hands 2 (2-2 FT), Killian 1 (1-2 FT)
