The Baker University men’s basketball team did not leave the McPherson Classic empty-handed after junior Todd Johnston nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer at the buzzer to defeat Bethany College 63-62 Saturday.
“We called a regular sideline out of bounds play and I happened to be open,” Johnston said. “(Sophomore) Todd Eils made a great pass and luckily I hit the shot.”
Johnston’s 3-pointer made him one of four Wildcats to score in double figures as him and junior Baba Diallo had 10 points apiece, senior Jack Shortell recorded 11 points and junior Jordan Honore led the way with 13 points.
“We like to distribute the ball,” Honore said. “I don’t think that we have a player on our team that is shot-hinding. When I say shot-hinding, I mean a guy who wants the shot every time down the floor.”
The buzzer-beating win came one day after the ‘Cats fell to McPherson College 77-63. The loss was BU’s second of the season and the Wildcats have allowed 52 points in the second half of both of their defeats.
“We just have to be tougher on defense,” Johnston said. “We have a really good defensive team and we were just out-toughed against McPherson.”
McPherson was led by Chris and Jordan Crawford and Samson Shivers, who combined for 51 of the Bulldogs 77 points. The Wildcats only had two players in double figures and struggled from the charity stripe, knocking down 9-17 free throws.
The Wildcats enter their matchup with Ottawa University at 7 p.m. Saturday in Ottawa with a record of 6-2. Baker beat the Braves 70-42 Nov. 12 in Collins Center in its previous meeting with Ottawa.
“Our mindset is to come out and to get defensive stops and set the tempo on defense,” Honore said. “Our offense will handle itself with us shooting almost 50 percent each game.”