Bulldog women end skid

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

The importance of McPherson College's 85-70 victory over Kansas Wesleyan here Saturday night was not lost on Bulldog women's coach Mel Wright.

"This was a game we absolutely had to have," said Wright, whose team had entered the night having lost four straight. "Had we lost this game, our season probably would have been in the tank completely."

That's because the Bulldogs built up a 21-point lead late in the first half, only to see Kansas Wesleyan -- which has not won a KCAC game in two years -- whittle the deficit to three, 45-42.

"We got real tentative and we missed about three or four layups (when KW was making its run)," Wright said. "We kind of lost our confidence there for a bit."

But back-to-back treys by Kathy Tello and Brenna Schierling jump-started the Mac offense and the Bulldogs were in control the rest of the way.

The Bulldogs shot 11 of 22 from 3-point, 5 of 8 in the first half when they were mounting a 43-26 lead.

"I'll take that (3-point shooting) every time," Wright said.

Christa Blose scored 10 of her 16 points in the second half, while Schierling scored 12 of her 14 after intermission. Tello and Erica Alvarez added 12 apiece and Andi Wilder gave the Bulldogs five players in double figures with 10. Ascendra Peters led KW with 15 points.

Schierling had a nice all-around game for Mac, as she also led the team with 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Wright was pleased with the play of the Mac bench, as Tello, Abby Suiter and Ashley Kline all gave the Bulldogs some solid minutes, especially on the defensive end.

The Bulldogs are now 3-3 in the KCAC and 8-5 overall. They go on the road Thursday to take on KCAC leader Ottawa, now alone at the top after Sterling knocked off Southwestern on Saturday.

Mac (85) -- Schierling 5 0-0 14; Blose 5 6-6 16; Tello 4 1-2 12; Richardson 3 1-4 9; Suiter 2 3-3 7; Wilder 4 0-0 10; Kline 1 3-4 5; Alvarez 4 4-6 12. Totals -- 28 18-25 85. 3-pointers -- Schierling 4, Tello 3, Richardson 2, Wilder 2.

KW (70) -- Estrella 2 2-2 6; Crittenden 1 5-8 8; Rogers 2 0-0 4; Peters 5 4-4 15; Caterbury 4 2-3 11; Brockman 2 1-2 5; Gillett 5 0-0 13; Velez 3 2-4 8. Totals -- 24 16-23 70. 3-pointers -- Gillett 3, Crittenden 1, Peters 1, Canterbury 1.