Kline propels Mac women

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

Generally, Ashley Kline's job for the McPherson College women is to come off the bench, grab a few rebounds and play solid defense.

But Monday night, she showed she could do even more.

Kline, coming off a career-high 8 points on Saturday against Bethany, gave the Bulldogs a shot in the arm with 18 points and 8 rebounds to lead Mac to an 80-44 victory over Central Christian College at the Sport Center.

"That's fantastic," McPherson coach Mel Wright said when told of her stat line. "This is really like her freshman year since she didn't play that much last year. She's playing very well for us."

Kline was 5 for 5 from the field in the first half to score 10 points, as Mac shook off an early 10-5 deficit to go up 36-22. She then hit her first two shots of the second half before finally cooling off to finish 8 of 13.

Also coming up big for the Bulldogs was Crystal Richardson, who had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

"We really need that out of Crystal," Wright said. "She's going to have to be our leader next year when Erica (Alvarez) is gone."

Brenna Schierling added 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Bulldogs, who doubled the Lady Tigers in the second half, 44-22. Andi Wilder chipped in with 10 points.

Christy Pyle scored 13 points for Central, which started both halves strong before fading.

"We started very well," Central coach Bryan Minnich said. "But we get stuck on a number and we can't seem to get off. But the girls played hard."

The victory improved the Bulldogs to 9-7 overall and they return to KCAC action here Thursday hosting Southwestern. The Bulldogs are 3-5 in the KCAC and tied for fifth.

The Lady Tigers, now 1-15, will be playing their fourth game in five days tonight when they travel to Newman.

Mac (80) -- Schierling 4 0-0 11; Kriley 0 2-4 2; Blose 1 1-2 3; Richardson 7 1-3 16; Suiter 3 0-0 6; Bostic 1 0-0 3; Wiggins 0 2-3 2; Wilder 4 0-0 10; Bevan 1 0-0 2; Kline 8 2-3 18; Alvarez 2 3-5 7. Totals -- 31 11-20 80. 3-pointers -- Schierling 3, Wilder 2, Richardson 1, Bostic 1.

Central (44) -- Lehman 1 0-0 2; Sherman 2 1-2 6; Joedeman 3 3-4 9; Acevedo 1 3-5 5; T. Bryant 0 1-3 1; Pyle 5 3-5 13; Epps 3 0-0 6; Green 0 0-2 0; Romero 1 0-0 2. Totals -- 16 11-21 44. 3-pointers -- Sherman 1.