Whitfield's 19 Points Not Enough as Bullpup Girls Fall to Lancers in Consolation Semifinals
McPherson drops heartbreaker 50-47 to Shawnee Mission East
The McPherson Bullpups fought valiantly but came up short Friday afternoon at the Roundhouse, falling 50-47 to Shawnee Mission East in the consolation semifinals of the 31st Annual Mid America Classic. Rylie Whitfield led the charge with a game-high 19 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting, including four three-pointers, but a 15-point third quarter from the Lancers proved to be the difference in a back-and-forth contest that saw the lead change hands 12 times and the score tied on eight occasions.
McPherson jumped out to an early four-point advantage and carried a 20-19 lead into halftime, but SM East seized control in the third quarter to build a nine-point cushion midway through the fourth. The Bullpups mounted a furious 21-point fourth-quarter rally but couldn't complete the comeback. Brooke Doile contributed 12 points and dominated the glass with 10 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double of the tournament, while Piper Alvord added nine points. Fina Kessler paced the Lancers with 19 points, draining five three-pointers, and Paige Stanfield added 10 points with four blocks.
Despite the loss, McPherson won the rebounding battle decisively 45-30, including 16 offensive boards, but 23 turnovers ultimately proved costly against the Lancers' 14 steals.
Greg Loving
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