Hillsboro, Kan. – McPherson College was on the road again on Wednesday night to square off against the Bluejays of Tabor College. The Bulldogs sought their second road win of the season, while the Bluejays aimed to rebound after a tight loss to Oklahoma Wesleyan on Monday.
The Basics
Location: Tabor Gymnasium
Score: MC 58, TC 85
Records: MC 8-13 (KCAC 3-12), TC 9-12 (KCAC 7-8)
How it Happened
McPherson started with the lead early in the opening quarter, as Mikah Hammerquist knocked down a three pointer and Dana Imankulova added a free throw. Tabor quickly responded, rattling off eight straight points to take a six-point advantage and set the tone for the rest of the contest. The Bulldogs scored 11 points in the first frame, with Hammerquist accounting for six after connecting on another shot from beyond the arc midway through the quarter.
The Buejays continued to build momentum in the second behind Lillie Veer who poured in seven points to help extend Tabor’s lead to 15 by halftime. Veer hit three of the Bluejays’ eight field goals in the period, including one from deep. For McPherson, Amaree Henderson led the way offensively, going 3-5 from the field for six points. Tabor carried a 39-24 lead in the break.
McPherson turned in its strongest offensive showing in the third quarter. Maizen Gillam scored 12 of her 13 points in the period, shooting 4-7 from the field and an efficient 50% from the three-point range. The Bulldogs outscored the Bluejays 25-21 and trimmed the deficit to as few as six points, but still entered the final quarter trailing by 11.
Despite the surge in the third, McPherson was unable to maintain its momentum in the closing period, while Tabor’s offense found another gear. The Bluejays were a perfect 5-5 from beyond the arc in the fourth, shooting 67% from the floor and scoring a game high 25 points. McPherson managed just two field goals and went 5-10 from the free throw line, as Tabor pulled away for an 85-58 victory.
Henderson tied Tabor’s Tayton Smith for game high honors with 16 points, while also adding one assist and five rebounds. Gillam finished with 13 points and Kenya McCain contributed a season high 9 points.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be at Holman Fieldhouse on Saturday for a midday matchup with Ottawa University. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.
