Mac women edge Threshers, 76-72

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

It didn't bother McPherson College women's coach Mel Wright that his Bulldogs were picked ninth in the KCAC preseason basketball poll.

And even when Mac got off to a 5-1 start, skeptics pointed to a somewhat soft schedule. It figured once conference play started, especially against a Bethel team here Thursday which returned nearly all its top players, the party would be over.

But it was party on for the Bulldogs, who were able to outlast the Threshers 76-72 at the Sport Center.

"It's good to win that first game in the conference," Wright said. "It didn't bother me when we were picked ninth. I knew we had some good athletes."

The Bulldogs raced to a 38-28 halftime lead, shooting 50 percent from the floor. The lead reached as much as 13 in the second half before the Threshers started to chip away.

But the turning point was a no-call, followed by a big call.

With the game tied at 64, Mac's Brenna Schierling appeared to travel right before she launched a 3-pointer, which cut the cords. Bethel coach and Moundridge High graduate DeAnn Huxman argued immediately and was hit with a technical, which Erica Alvarez converted into two free throws for a 69-64 lead with 2:52 to go.

"That was the game almost right there," Wright said.

Mac, even after losing Alvarez for the final 2:41, was able to hold off the Threshers, with Christa Blose and Kathy Tello hitting key baskets, while freshman Abby Suiter hit two clutch free throws with 19 seconds left to push the lead to five. Suiter had to go most of the second half when starting point guard Andi Wilder suffered a concussion in the first half.

"We have a lot better team chemistry this year," Wright said. "We have a lot of people contributing."

Alvarez finished with 27 points, while Blose scored 15 and Crystal Richardson added 13, all in the first half when her three 3-pointers ignited the lead. Tiffany DeHaven led Bethel with 18.

Mac goes on the road Saturday to play Saint Mary, which put a scare into No. 9-ranked Southwestern before losing, 80-75.

Mac (76) -- Schierling 3 0-0 8; Blose 7 0-0 15; Tello 3 1-2 7; Richardson 5 0-0 13; Suiter 2 2-2 6; Alvarez 11 5-6 27. Totals -- 31 8-10 76. 3-pointers -- Richardson 3, Schierling 2, Blose 1.

Bethel (72) -- DeHaven 5 5-5 18; DeWald 0 2-2 2; Becker 4 0-0 9; Springer 1 0-0 2; Klaassen 0 2-2 2; Nietfeld 3 3-4 10; Kessler 1 0-0 2; Deschenes 5 0-0 11; Haug 6 3-4 16. Totals -- 25 15-17 72. 3-pointers -- DeHaven 3, Becker 1, Nietfeld 1, Deschenes 1, Haug 1.