Hillsboro, Kansas – The Bulldogs have been on a hot streak over the last month, winning six of their last seven matchups coming into this road battle against the Tabor College Bluejays. The Bluejays were coming off a short turnaround after a heartbreaking 78-76 loss to 3rd nationally ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan on Monday night.
The Basics
Location: Tabor Gymnasium
Records: MC 16-5 (12-3 KCAC), TC 3-17 (1-14 KCAC)
Score: MC 85, TC 77
How it Happened
The Bulldogs began the game with the opening bucket after KJ Marshall’s layup from underneath the basket; it’d be followed closely behind with a Joe Gonzales jumper after Tarrance Austin gave McPherson an extra possession with a steal on the other end. At the 12:14 mark of the first half, Korbin Gunn’s triple gave the Bulldogs a 12-point lead over the Bluejays who were struggling to find any offensive rhythm. With the score at 26-14, McPherson managed a 14-4 run that was highlighted by a pair of Marshall dunks alongside a jam from Quran McKinney. The Bluejays finished off the half with a large run to get their first half total up to 30 before the break; the visitors bought some insurance before halftime with two three-pointers from Dash Johnson and Gonzales, giving them a 50-30 lead heading into the locker room.
Korbin Gunn ended the half with 15 points and five rebounds, while Gonzales tagged closely behind with a 12-point first half performance. The Bulldogs held themselves to three turnovers in the half, giving themselves plenty of chances to find points with a conversion rate of 49% from the floor.
Despite a valiant second half effort from the Bluejays, the margin that had been built by the Bulldogs in the first half was too much to overcome. Tabor worked the lead down late in the half to single digits after an explosive run with just under a minute left; Kam Kaniper led the effort for the Bluejays with 14 points in the second half. The Bulldogs would let the time dwindle down on their final possession and hold on for the 85-77 victory on the road.
Up Next
McPherson College will take on the Ottawa University Braves in the Holman Fieldhouse this Saturday on January 31st at 3:00 PM.
