McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) – Aaron Williams Jr. drilled an eight-footer with 40.2 seconds left to put McPherson College on top late, and power the Bulldogs to an 80-77 season-opening win Friday night (Nov. 1) inside Holman Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs have now won seven straight season openers.
Williams finished with a team-high 19 points in his first career start in a Bulldog uniform, thanks to 50 percent (8-for-16) shooting from the field, and added eight rebounds and three assists. 14 of Williams points came in the second half.
The Bulldogs trailed 66-57 with 8:32 remaining in the contest, but a driving layup by Williams sparked an 8-0 burst to pull MC within one point with just over five minutes to play.
From there, it was a back-and-forth battle with neither team able to create space.
MC held the Aggies to just 27.6 percent (8-for-29) shooting from beyond the arc, but OPSU scored 30 points in the paint. The Bulldogs scored 12 points off of ten Aggie turnovers.
Despite being in foul trouble most of the evening, Charles Snyder scored 13 points, including 10 in the first half, while Curtis Rose added 12 points, and Antonio Watson finished with 11 points. Eight of Rose’s 12 points came at the free-throw line.
The Bulldogs were efficient from the field, shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc. MC also scored 20 points at the charity stripe.
MC outrebounded the Aggies 37-34, but OPSU pulled down 16 offensive rebounds.
Amaree Brown led the Aggies in the scoring column with 17 points, Abdulh Diaby added 13 points, and Brice Langford finished with 11 points. OPSU finished with three steals, all by Diaby.
The Bulldogs return to the hardwood Tuesday (Nov. 5) for the Mayor’s Cup, traveling crosstown to take on Central Christian at Jerry Alexander Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
