Big second half lifts BU past McPherson
Bellevue scored the final seven points to pull away from McPherson and secure their first victory of the season.
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- The Bellevue University women's basketball team out-scored McPherson College 47-30 in the second half to earn their first win of the season, 78-69, in the OKWU Classic at the Mueller Sports Center.
Records:
(RV) Bellevue: 1-1
McPherson: 1-1
Recap: (RV) Bellevue 78, McPherson 69
Following a back-and-forth first quarter, the period ended with Bellevue up 17-15. McPherson controlled play in the second, out-scoring BU 24-14, as the Bulldogs took a 39-31 lead into halftime.
Out of the break, the Bruins seemed to flip the script. Bellevue dominated the third quarter to the tune of a 25-12 scoring advantage. Leading 53-51 late, the Bruins drained a three just ahead of the buzzer to take a 56-51 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Bellevue scored off a turnover to grab a 71-66 lead late in the fourth quarter but an old-fashioned three-point play at the other end brought McPherson to within a bucket.
That would be the last time McPherson scored as BU tallied the game's final seven points as they pulled away for their first win of the season.
Jamie Winkler paced four Bruins in double digits, finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds. Taeha Pankey (15), Jerrene Richardson (12), and Elexis Martinez (11) all joined her in double figures.
Bellevue out-rebounded McPherson 33-28 on the night, paced by Laura Jurek's eight boards. Winkler collected seven caroms and Richardson contributed six.
Brittany Roberts scored 20 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds to lead McPherson. Danielle Holt and Elle Gillen each added nine points and Madison Moseley chipped in eight in the loss.
The Bruins shot 41.2 percent from the floor and hit on 12-of-30 (40.0 percent) three-point attempts. McPherson shot it at a 48.3 percent clip but made just seven three-pointers – on 18 tries – as they shot 38.9 percent from deep.
Up Next:
Bellevue travels to Omaha, Neb. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 for a non-conference tilt against the College of St. Mary at 5 p.m. at the Lied Fitness Center.