Jose Morales floats in for two of his 17 points for McPherson College Friday night.
Eagles edge Bulldogs
Jose Morales floats in for two of his 17 points for McPherson College Friday night. |
By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor
Roger Trimmell knows his McPherson College Bulldogs aren't that far away from being a good basketball team.
"We're just teasing ourselves right now," Trimmell said here Friday after his Bulldogs lost their second straight close game, 91-88, to a very talented Oklahoma Wesleyan club. "We've got to get some things ironed out. We're a terrible defensive team right now. We've also got to rebound better. But that's what these early season games are for."
The Bulldogs, now 1-2, get right back after it tonight in the two-day classic at the Sport Center, playing Haskell at 7:30 p.m. Oklahoma Wesleyan takes on Bethel at 5:30, and the Threshers were a 73-63 winner over the Indians in Friday's opener.
The Bulldogs looked like world-beaters early, jumping out to a 31-17 lead, only to see the Eagles take advantage of some sloppy Mac play to outscore the Bulldogs 32-14 the rest of the half for a 49-45 lead.
It was tied at 65 with 12 minutes to go when the Eagles went on a 13-5 run. Mac battled back and down the stretch, a Brian Hooks trey pulled the Bulldogs within 89-88 with 7 seconds to go.
After a pair of Kenroy Smith free throws gave the Eagles a 91-88 lead, the Bulldogs had a chance to tie, but Roy McDonald's trey attempt was too hard.
"They're a nice team, but everybody we play seems to have a nice team," Trimmell said. "I'm getting tired of saying that. We've got to find a way to win these close games."
Diminutive 5-7 point guard Anthony Swinton poured in 26 points for the Eagles, but only scored two points in the final 9:30. Smith added 18, while rugged 6-8 Richard Flint gave Mac problems inside with 14 points, and Kareem Degrasse also had 14.
Freshman Jamaal Norris had a big game for Mac with 28 points, hitting 12 of 20 from the field and made several nice moves. Jose Morales scored 17, Kenny Romero added 15 and Hooks scored 13. McDonald had 9 assists. Mac hit 15 of 17 from the line.
Bethel 73, Haskell 63 -- Frank Flores sank 10 of 12 from the field and scored 20 points to lead the Threshers to the win. Ray Garcia added 17 and Inman product Garry Albright furnished 10 and 6 rebounds.
Bethel led only 37-36 at the half as the pesky Indians just wouldn't go away. Andy Deal led Haskell with 15 points.
Mac (88) -- Morales 6 3-3 17; McDonald 4 0-0 8; Perez 1 2-2 5; Turner 1 0-0 2; Norris 12 3-3 28; Hooks 2 7-8 13; Romero 7 0-1 15. Totals -- 33 15-17 88. 3-pointers -- Morales 2, Norris 2, Hooks 2, Perez 1.
Wesleyan (91) -- Walker 2 0-1 5; Trimble 1 0-0 3; Walkingstick 3 0-0 8; Smith 6 4-4 18; Swinton 11 4-9 26; Degrasse 6 1-5 14; McJunkins 1 0-0 3; Flint 7 0-0 14. Totals -- 37 9-19 91. 3-pointers -- Walkingstick 2, Smtih 2, Walker 1, Trimble 1, Degrasse 1, McJunkins 1.