Women's Basketball Falls To McPherson Monday

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary women's basketball team fell 84-73 to McPherson College Monday night in Ryan Sports Center. The Spires fought back from a 19 point deficit and had eight different players score.

The Spires are now 2-8 overall and 2-4 KCAC.

Macy Walker started things off for the Spires as she drilled a three-pointer from the top of the key to go up 3-0 in the opening seconds of the game. Moments later, Walker missed a layup that would be snagged by Dakota Corle and put in for the bucket. McPherson was able to pressure Saint Mary and capitalize on some turnovers to take the lead. The Bulldogs led 25-15 after the first quarter.

The Spires were able to cut the lead to single digits after a pair of free throws by Corle in the opening minutes of the second quarter. On the next possession, Nese Selepeo drove to the basket and bounced passed it to Corle who drained the five foot jumper to make it 29-21. The Spires trailed by 12 with 2:13 left in the half, but would cut into that lead with free-throws from Walker and Danielle Cassady. McPherson led 42-34 at halftime.

Selepeo took the first shot of the second half and Corle grabbed the rebound and put it back up for two points. Both teams would trade baskets throughout most of the quarter but free-throws allowed the Bulldogs to extend their lead as they shot 11 in the third quarter alone. Saint Mary trailed 67-49 to head into the final quarter.

Walker opened the fourth quarter hitting back-to-back three-pointers to cut into the deficit. McPherson was able to get shots in the paint to keep their lead. The Spires would not fold as they continued to fight back and hit multiple three-pointers to make it a seven point game with just over a minute left in the game. Free-throws would secure the win for the Bulldogs as they went 21-for-29 from the free-throw line.

Corle led the team with a game-high 18 points. Walker finished with a double-double as she scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Cassady was just shy of a double-double as she finished with 13 points and had nine assists. As a team, the Spires went 14-for-16 from the free-throw line.

UP NEXT
The Spires return to action this Thursday where they will travel to Lindsborg, Kan. to take on (RV)Bethany College. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.