`Dogs outlasted, 95-90

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

There's no need for scales in the McPherson College locker room.

That's because a lack of weight is signalling a disturbing pattern for the Bulldogs.

Once again, the Bulldogs' lack of bulk did them in, as they lost a 95-90 decision Saturday to Southwestern Assemblies of God, the Bulldogs' sixth straight setback.

Southwestern Assemblies used its strength advantage for a 51-41 edge off the glass, and its second-shot opportunities probably were the difference in the game.

"We just don't have the weight inside," a drained McPherson coach Roger Trimmell said. "We're just not a very strong team physically."

The Bulldogs, down 47-39 at halftime, made a spirited comeback in the second half and led as late as 3:25 to go in the game when Jamaal Norris' steal and subsequent dunk put Mac up 81-80.

The game stayed tight, with the Lions holding a 90-88 lead with less than 30 seconds to go. With the shot clock almost to zero, Southwestern's Phil Renz hit a falling-out-of-bounds 3-point prayer that was answered making it 93-88, which proved to be the backbreaker.

"They hit about three 3-pointers late in the game on plays where I thought we were in pretty good defensive position," Trimmell said.

The Bulldogs, though, had far too many defensive lapses, something they didn't have the night before. And their lack of depth was noticeable, as all but seven points came from the starters.

"We've just got to keep working hard and try to get better," Trimmell said. "We've got to try and develop some intensity. We kind of play in spurts and we don't sustain the effort for 40 minutes."

Norris led the Bulldogs with 20 points, going 12 of 12 at the line. Kenny Romero scored 17 of his 18 points in the second half, and Roy McDonald also had 18 points. Jose Morales added 13.

Doug Freer, who had 21 second-half points, finished with 32, while Dustin Robinson had a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Renz scored 14. The Lions dominated at the foul line, going 29 of 37, while Mac was 19 of 24.

"We knew he (Freer) could shoot it, and he made some tough shots," Trimmell said.

The Bulldogs, who entered the year with such high hopes, have fallen to 4-9. They'll take an 0-4 KCAC record into Thursday's home conference game against Saint Mary.

Mac (90) -- Morales 5 2-2 13; McDonald 8 1-2 18; Perez 1 0-0 2; Turner 2 0-0 5; Norris 4 12-12 20; Hooks 4 0-0 8; Cox 1 3-4 6; Romero 8 1-4 18. Totals -- 33 19-24 90. 3-pointers -- Morales 1, McDonald 1, Turner 1, Cox 1, Romero 1.

Southwestern Assemblies (95) -- Rodriguez 2 0-0 5; Johnson 1 4-4 7; Freer 8 9-10 32; Willis 1 3-4 5; Serrano 1 0-0 2; Lacey 0 3-4 3; Lucic 2 3-4 7; Robinson 8 4-6 20; Renz 5 3-5 14. Totals -- 28 29-37 95. 3-pointers -- Freer 7, Rodriguez 1, Johnson 1, Renz 1.