Red Demons swept in season-opener at McPherson
McPHERSON–McPherson’s boys pounded Dodge City 74-32 in the season-opener Thursday, and the Lady Demons fell 43-37 in a doubleheader at the Roundhouse.
In the boys game, McPherson raced out to a 24-6 lead thanks to forcing 11 first quarter turnovers by the Red Demons and turning a good chunk of those into transition buckets. From there, the lead steadily grew the rest of the game and was large enough to enact a running clock in the fourth quarter.
Dodge City turned the ball over 23 times in the game and was out-rebounded 41-26. The lone Demon to reach double figures was Isaiah Taylor with 10 points, who is also the only returning starter from last year’s 19-4 squad.
The Red Demons fall to 0-1 with the loss and return to action Friday, Dec. 9 when they take on Manhattan at the Dodge City Civic Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
In the much-tighter girls game, Dodge City had to fight to take the lead halfway through the third quarter, but after a Bullpup timeout, McPherson immediately regained the lead for good. After holding just a one-point advantage at the end of the third, McPherson was able to put the game away by stretching the lead to as high as 11 points halfway through the final quarter.
Team stats were nearly even in many categories, but one glaring problem for Dodge City was free throw shooting. They made just 2-of-15 attempts in the contest.
Ashlyn Lembright led Dodge with 15 points.
The Lady Demons fall to 0-1 with the loss and return to action Friday, Dec. 9 when they take on Manhattan at the Dodge City Civic Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
