Coyote Women Hold Off Mac, Men Fall Short

Mike Hammett - Sat 09:08 PM 02/09/2013

McPherson made a hard charge at Kansas Wesleyan, but the Coyotes never gave up the lead in a 54-48 win at McPherson.

The Coyotes scored 15 of the first 17 points to build the early 15-2 lead with 13:32 to play in the half on free throws by Kalie LeShore. McPherson would close within nine at 22-13 before the Coyotes scored 10 of the final 13 points of the half for the 32-16 lead.

McPherson flipped the game to start the second half, using a 23-8 run over the first 11:50 of the half to pull within one at 40-39. KWU responded with an 11-0 run to regain control, using a three by freshman Shelby Heim and two buckets from Caley Greving in the run. McPherson would close within five, but the Coyotes hold off McPherson 54-48.

Olson's 16 led the Coyotes and all players. Bailey Brown had 13 for McPherson.

The Coyotes are 15-11 overall and 10-6 in the KCAC. McPherson is 14-12 and 8-8 in the KCAC.

KWU visits Bethany on Thursday. The Coyotes can clinch the number four seed and a home game in the first round of the KCAC tournament with a win.

Samson Shivers was on fire early, scoring a career-high 37 points, and out dueled Canon Fields and Kansas Wesleyan 92-76 on Saturday night.

The first half went back and forth until the final few minutes. There were eight ties and four lead changes in the half, with McPherson taking the last lead change at 34-32 on a three by Kasey Miller. McPherson would score 14 of the final 18 points in the half and take a 48-38 halftime lead. Shivers tallied 24 of his points in the first half.

In the second half, Kansas Wesleyan cut the lead to 8 at 57-49, but could get no closer. The Bulldogs built a 20 point lead at 70-50 and cruise to the win.

Canon Fields led Kansas Wesleyan with 27 points and 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Michael Johnson adds 17, while Brock Borovetz and Dane Brinker add 13 each.

The Coyotes are tied with McPherson for the eighth and final spot in the KCAC tournament at 5-11. However, the Bulldogs have the tiebreaker with a season-series sweep. There are two games left in the regular season.

KWU is 8-18 overall while McPherson is 11-16. KWU visits Bethany on Thursday, while Mac visits Sterling.