WICHITA, Kan. — The McPherson College Bulldogs men's basketball team is on a winning streak, picking up their third consecutive Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) victory after defeating the Evangel University Valor 88-80 on Saturday, January 4. This win highlights not only the team's adept scoring but also the standout performances from individual players.
Tarrance Austin was particularly remarkable, scoring 22 of his season-high 26 points during the opening half. His shooting from beyond the arc was impressive, hitting five of six attempts at three-point range. Meanwhile, Curtis Rose, who plays point guard, took charge in the latter half of the game, contributing 18 of his 22 total points to secure the win.
The game did not start favorably for the Bulldogs, as they found themselves trailing 21-15 with eight minutes left before halftime. Austin sparked the team's recovery with his scoring surge, leading McPherson to outscore the Valor 31-13 before the intermission. His shooting was complemented by efforts from fellow teammates such as Charles Snyder, who made his first three-pointer of the season, and Jamil Hardaway, who also contributed valuable three-point shots.
Head coach T.J. Eskildsen praised the team's resilience, noting their ability to close out halves strongly. 'Curt had a great week leading us to a big conference win,' Eskildsen stated. 'He is always very active on the defensive end. I'm excited for him to gain this recognition.'
Rose's determination on the court earned him the KCAC Defensive Player of the Week title following his impressive defensive stats from previous games. He averaged three steals and four defensive rebounds per game during the week leading up to the recent victories. A native of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Rose is pivotal to the Bulldogs' strategy and success.
Throughout the game against Evangel, McPherson shot 47.5 percent from the field and successfully made 11 three-point shots, marking their most efficient shooting performance since November 23. While the Bulldogs built and maintained their lead throughout the second half, they faced scoring challenges early on, but their proficiency from long range developed momentum.
The Valor's performance was led by Josh Mason, who scored 25 points, contributing significantly to the game's competitiveness. Other notable performances on the Valor's roster included Garrett Davault and Bryce Ware, who added 16 and 14 points, respectively.
With this latest victory, the Bulldogs improved their conference record, positioning themselves strongly within the KCAC. The team is undoubtedly gaining confidence as they prepare for their upcoming match against York University on January 8, scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
Tarrance Austin, after his standout performance, expressed optimism about the remaining season, emphasizing the need for the team to stay focused and maintain their momentum. 'We have to keep pushing, keep practicing hard, and aiming to improve every game,' Austin said, reinforcing the ideal of continuous progress.
Rose also shared his thoughts on the importance of teamwork. 'It's all about how we perform as a unit, every player contributing to the effort,' he stated. This mentality resonates through the Bulldogs’ roster, fostering unity and determination as they continue their campaign.
Fans and supporters of McPherson College can look forward to seeing how the Bulldogs build on this momentum. With key players like Rose and Austin leading the charge, the basketball team is well on its way to potentially achieving even greater success this season.