[Women's Basketball] Falcons Three-Game Winning Streak Snapped vs. McPherson

McPHERSON, Kan. -- The McPherson College Bulldogs used a big second half to knock off the Friends University Falcons Wednesday evening 79-70 in McPherson. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak. 

McKenzie Shippy (SO/Woodbrine, Kan. ) made a career-high six threes, the most by a Falcon since 2018.

A three by Shippy gave the Falcons a 12-4 lead in the first quarter. The Falcons closed the opening stanza on a 9-2 spurt when Gracie Sammons (SO/Aubrey, Texas) knocked down a three at the buzzer.

A 9-2 run early in the second quarter gave the Falcons their largest lead at 31-15. McPherson closed the gap on the heels of a 15-4 spurt. The Falcons took a 39-32 lead into halftime.

The Bulldogs turned up the pressure out of the break, holding the Falcons to just two points in the first six minutes and forcing seven turnovers. Friends responded with an 8-2 run to pull within 56-55 with one quarter to play.

Brittany Roberts gave the Bulldogs a 71-64 edge with 3:26 remaining. Shippy knocked down a three off the backboard, then Bridget Busbee (SO/Grand Prairie, Texas) buried a three to cut the lead to 71-70.
 
An and-one by Victoria Ates expanded the Bulldog lead. The Bulldogs made their free throws down the stretch to claim the victory.

Shippy led the way with a career-high 24 points, the most by a Falcon this season.  Busbee added 11 points and four rebounds, while Sammons finished with 10 points, five assists, and three rebounds.

The Falcons shot 36.0 percent (9-of-25) from the perimeter, their best showing of the season. 

Roberts paced the Bulldogs with 24 points and 20 rebounds, while Kyrstin Branscum added 14 points.

The Falcons travel to North Newton to take on Bethel College on Saturday (Jan. 23) at 5 p.m.