'Dogs rally past Sterling

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

The McPherson College Bulldogs' point zone defense is becoming the scourge of the KCAC.

The Bulldogs have employed the zone effectively during their recent winning streak and Saturday night, it was the difference in a come-from-behind 64-55 victory over third-place Sterling, their fifth in a row.

The Bulldogs were trailing 44-30 with 15:05 to go when Mac coach Roger Trimmell called timeout to switch defenses.

"We weren't getting anything done with our man-to-man," said Trimmell, whose team finally has climbed back to the break-even mark at 4-4 in the KCAC and 9-9 overall. "We had to do something to break up their rhythm. We're quick enough to get out on their shooters and we had good help."

The Warriors shockingly scored only 11 points the rest of the way, as the Bulldogs have gone from being one of the worst defensive teams in the KCAC to one of the best in a matter of three weeks.

"We wanted to hold them under 60," said Trimmell, whose team was giving up 80 and 90 on a regular basis before Christmas.

Mac's Lee Gustafson was injured with 12 minutes to go when he dove for a ball and Sterling's Chris Kemp landed on him, lacerating his chin and shearing his two front teeth. There was a 20-minute delay, as paramedics worked on him, as he also complained of a neck injury. He was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures.

Mac trailed at that point 44-41, but outscored the Warriors 23-11 from that point.

Kenny Romero followed up his career night on Thursday with another monster night with 25 points and 9 rebounds. "If he's not KCAC Player of the Week again this week, then there's something wrong," Trimmell said.

Jamaal Norris added 12 points, hitting 10 of 11 free throws, many of them down the stretch. Roy McDonald added 11. Michael Moncrief scored 21 for Sterling, which shot just 29 percent in the second half.

Mac wraps up the first half of conference play Thursday playing at Bethel, which is now tied for first place with Bethany at 7-1.

Mac (64) -- Morales 1 4-4 6; McDonald 4 3-4 11; Norris 1 10-11 12; Hooks 3 0-0 7; Cox 1 0-0 3; Romero 10 5-8 25. Totals -- 20 22-27 64. 3-pointers -- Hooks 1, Cox 1.

Sterling (55) -- Cureton 1 0-0 2; Schneider 1 0-0 2; Ray 3 2-4 9; Kemp 4 2-2 10; Moncrief 8 2-2 21; Green 4 2-2 11. Totals -- 21 8-10 55. 3-point goals -- Moncrief 3, Ray 1, Green 1.