Bulldogs whip Friends; host CCC tonight

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

McPherson College's men have finally figured out that playing defense isn't all that bad.

Especially when it results in victories.

For the second straight game, the Bulldogs hunkered down on the defensive end, and it produced a 68-56 victory here Saturday over Friends.

In just a matter of three days, the Bulldogs have gone from 10th place in the KCAC standings to a tie for sixth, as they are now 2-4, 6-9 overall.

"I thought we played very well defensively," said Mac coach Roger Trimmell, whose team had allowed at least 75 points in 11 of its first 13 games before giving up 62 and now 54. "I thought we were much more intense on the defensive end. It was a typical slugfest with Friends. They're very physical and they mix it up defensively with the zone and man."

The Bulldogs led the entire 40 minutes. They had a few chances to pull out to a nice lead in the first half before settling for a 31-25 advantage. Friends hung tough for about six minutes in the second half, but a Kenny Romero basket with 14:31 to go pushed the lead to double digits, where it stayed the rest of the way. The Bulldogs led by as many as 18.

"I was very pleased with our balance," said Trimmell, whose five starters scored in double figures. "Roy (McDonald) had a tremendous assist-to-turnover ratio (10-1). He had a good game distributing the basketball. And we did a good job on the boards. When we rebound, we can get out and run."

Romero led Mac with 15 points, while Brian Hooks and Jose Morales scored 14 apiece, McDonald scored 12 and Jamaal Norris added 10. Dennis Jackson led Friends with 16.

The Bulldogs now host crosstown rival Central Christian College tonight at 7:30 at the Sport Center. Mac was just a 98-90 winner in the first meeting at Pyle Complex, and the Tigers have added some second-semester reenforcements.

Mac (68) -- Morales 4 4-4 14; McDonald 5 2-5 12; Norris 4 1-3 10; Hooks 6 2-4 14; Cox 1 0-0 2; Romero 7 0-0 15; Gustafson 0 1-2 1. Totals -- 27 10-18 68. 3-pointers -- Morales 2, Norris 1, Romero 1.

Friends (54) -- Jemmerson 2 2-2 7; D. Jackson 6 3-4 16; McArthur 1 0-0 3; Carter 1 0-0 2; Littlefield 2 0-0 4; Marcotte 4 0-0 11; M. Jackson 1 0-0 2; Jones 2 1-2 5; McMillin 3 0-0 6. Totals -- 22 6-8 56. 3-pointers -- Marcotte 3, Jemmerson 1, D. Jackson 1, McArthur 1.