Bulldogs see late lead get away, 69-64

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

Every season, there's that one game McPherson College men's coach Roger Trimmell can look back at as the one that got away.

For the 2003-04 season, that game occurred Saturday night.

The Bulldogs, up 15 points on Ottawa at one point and still up by seven with just over four minutes left to play, suffered a monumental collapse down the strech at home Saturday night, as the Braves used a 14-2 sizz to finish the game out for a 69-64 victory.

The shocking turn of events was repeated at two other venues, as KCAC leaders Tabor and Friends also were knocked off, and now the conference playoff picture is a hullabaloo.

The Bulldogs, in fact, could nearly have clinched a first-round home game with a victory, but now they could end up on the road, and shockingly, they could even end up in the dreaded "play-in" game if everything that could go wrong does.

Trimmell was almost in shock after his team turned the ball over four times in the final two minutes to fritter away what appeared to be a victory, as it led 62-55.

"I don't know what to say. It's extremely disappointing," Trimmell said. "They just played harder than we did and wanted it more, I guess. We've got to be able to finish a team off, especially at home."

The hard-nosed Braves had to feel like they stole one. They were on the verge of being blown out, down 28-13 with seven minutes left in the half, before creeping within nine by recess, 40-31.

Brett Lickteig then started to cook for the Braves, as he drew them back and they finally got it tied at 51-all on a basket by Inman product Sam Thiessen. But Mac then went on an 11-4 pop and appeared to gain back the advantage.

But the Bulldogs scored just one field goal in the last five minutes and were plagued by turnovers late, uncharacteristic of a veteran club.

Foul trouble also plagued the Bulldogs. Energizing big man Lee Gustafson played only 15 minutes, while leading scorer Kenny Romero sat out the last eight minutes of the first half.

Cody Rierson led the Bulldogs with 16 points, while a bright spot was the play of Tim Cox off the bench, as he had 14. Brian Hooks had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Roy McDonald scored 11.

Lickteig had a double-double for the Braves with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Thomas Buckner had 18 points, including a key steal and basket that gave the Braves the lead for good with 1:30 to go. Kyle Zammar continued to be a Bulldog killer, scoring 16 points, as he always seems to save his best for Mac.

There's one week left in the regular season and the Bulldogs host intra-county rival and improving Bethany on Thursday before going to Southwestern on Saturday. Mac is 9-7 in the KCAC (17-9 overall), tied with Southwestern, and a game up on Bethel and Ottawa. Bethany and Saint Mary are the only two teams at this point assured of being in the play-in games.

Mac (64) -- Rierson 6 4-5 16; Cox 5 1-2 14; McDonald 5 0-0 11; Hooks 4 5-8 13; Romero 4 0-0 8; Gustafson 1 0-0 2. Totals -- 25 10-17 64. 3-pointers -- Cox 3, McDonald 1.

Ottawa (69) -- Buckner 7 2-5 18; Siggal 2 0-0 6; Lickteig 8 2-2 20; Zammar 6 4-6 16; Thiessen 4 0-0 8; Pitts 0 1-2 1. Totals -- 27 9-15 69. 3-pointers -- Buckner 2, Siggal 2, Lickteig 2.