McPHERSON, Kan. – The McPherson High School Girls Basketball team sweeps the season series with league rival Buhler, winning in overtime 44-41 on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Roundhouse.
The Bullpups started the game off strong, leading by nine points at the end of the first quarter, 15-6. However, this would end up being McPherson’s largest lead. Buhler trailed by seven points at the end of the third quarter, but stormed back in the fourth quarter, outscoring McPherson 15-8, highlighted by Tori Tustian’s game-tying layup to force overtime.
Buhler took their first lead of the game in OT, leading 41-39. However, McPherson used their strong effort and aggressiveness to send them to the free throw line and forcing turnovers. McPherson shot 5/8 at the free-throw line in the extra period.
The Crusaders had a chance to take the lead with 10 seconds remaining, but a strong effort play by Brooke Doile, who would later be named the Winter Homecoming Queen, poked the ball loose defensively, then dove for the loose ball and called a timeout to give McPherson the ball. Two clutch free throws by Rylie Whitfield iced the game to give McPherson the OT win.
Whitfield led all scorers with 16 points, hitting 4 three-pointers. Doile finished with 8 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
McPherson moved to 9-10 on the season, 5-1 against AVCTL-3 opponents, still tied with Mulvane for No. 1 in the league standings. The Bullpups will start a two-game road stand in Towanda on Tuesday, Feb. 17 against Circle.
