McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — The McPherson College Bulldogs had an outstanding offensive performance, but wound up on the wrong side of the decision, dropping the Mayor’s Cup for the first time in four seasons 88-87 to Central Christian College inside Jerry Alexander Arena.
The Bulldogs shot 68.8 percent (11-for-16) from beyond the arc, which is the highest in the Eskildsen Era, and highest since the 2009-10 season.
Aaron Williams Jr. and Curtis Rose each paced the Bulldogs with 19 points apiece, with Rose adding nine rebounds and four assists. Williams was a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range. Dallas Metzger, in just his second collegiate game, poured in a career-high 17 points, thanks to 5-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc.
MC’s bench outscored the Tigers’ reserves 34-14, but Central held a 13-11 advantage off turnovers and a 17-15 edge in second chance points. The Tigers scored 25 of their 88 points at the free throw line.
The Tigers led 78-69 with 8:12 to play before a quick 10-0 run sparked by a putback by Antonio Watson pushed the Bulldogs back on top with 5:08 to play. Six free throws down, sandwiched around a basket by Rose, once again gave the Tigers an 84-81 edge with just over three minutes left, but again the Bulldogs pulled within one after a pair of free throws by Rose.
A bucket by Chris Whitten with 74 seconds to play pushed the Tigers lead to 88-84, but Metzger drilled a trey with 38 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs got one last defensive stop, giving themselves a chance at a last second shot, but were unable to find the game-winner.
Central Christian was led by Omari Maulana with 27 points and five assists. Maulana shot 5-for-9 from the three-point line, and also pulled down seven rebounds. Whitten added 19 points, while Jevarrick Butler finished with 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Andre Shelby blocked three shots and dished a game-high seven assists.
The Bulldogs raced out to a 14-7 lead, thanks to back-to-back triples by Rose and Metzger, but five straight points by Maulana pulled Central back within two. MC ballooned its lead back to 21-12 after a pair of baskets by Collin Storr and a triple by Metzger, but the Tigers quickly erased that lead. From there, neither team was able to create separation in the opening half. Central Christian led 48-46 at the break.
MC shot 7-for-8 from the three-point line in the opening half, while the Tigers were 9-for-17 from distance.
With the Bulldogs loss, Central Christian takes a 3-2 lead in the McPherson Collegiate Cup with just two sports to play.
MC hits the road Friday (Nov. 8) for an exhibition against NCAA Division II Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla., with tipoff coming at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs return to Holman Fieldhouse on Nov. 13 for a non-conference tilt against Manhattan Christian.
