WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College opens its home schedule and begins KCAC play Saturday, November 15th when the Lady Builders welcome McPherson College to Stewart Field House for a 1 p.m. tipoff on Military Appreciation Night.
Southwestern (3–1) returns to Winfield following a four-game road stretch to open the season, most recently defeating Cottey 70–58 on Wednesday, November 12th. The Lady Builders enter conference action averaging 65.5 points per game while holding opponents to 61.5, fueled by steady perimeter shooting and a high-energy defensive presence.
McPherson (5–1) arrives with one of the league's most productive offenses, scoring 71.2 points per game and winning five of its first six contests. The Lady Bulldogs, however, are coming off their first loss of the season, a 59–46 setback to Baker on Nov. 12.
The Lady Builders have built early momentum behind a balanced scoring effort and improved spacing on the perimeter. Senior Macey Pond has emerged as the team's offensive anchor, averaging 16.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, making her one of the KCAC's early-season double-double threats. Pond leads Southwestern in field goals made (22) and free throws (15) while providing strong interior defense.
Junior guard Martha De La Rosa adds another dimension with her perimeter shooting and playmaking. She enters the matchup scoring 10.5 points per game while shooting 38.1 percent from three, ranking among the team's most reliable options from deep.
Freshman wing Breanna Goad has also given Southwestern a scoring boost, averaging 10.5 points while hitting a team-best 10 threes through four games. Her outside shooting is a critical part of Southwestern's 8.3 made threes per game, a category in which the Lady Builders hold a clear efficiency edge over opponents.
Defensively, Southwestern averages 7.3 steals per game and forces 13.8 turnovers, led by disruptive play from Kennedy Ford, who has 10 steals on the season.
McPherson features depth and offensive pace, with six players averaging six points or more. Forward Olivia Bell leads the Bulldogs at 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while guard Mikah Hammerquist provides perimeter shooting at 9.5 points per game, including 5-of-17 from three.
The Bulldogs enter Saturday with a strong rebounding profile, averaging 46.3 boards per game, and force opponents into 24.5 turnovers per contest, creating extra possessions for their fast-paced offense.
McPherson's biggest statistical weakness has been three-point efficiency, shooting just 22.8 percent from beyond the arc, and the Bulldogs have been vulnerable against teams that can stretch the floor, something Southwestern will look to exploit.
Saturday marks the latest chapter in one of the KCAC's longest-running rivalries. Southwestern holds a 30–13 advantage in the series since 2005, including victories in the last two meetings.
The teams last met on Jan. 11, 2025, when Southwestern edged McPherson 59–57 in Winfield. The Lady Builders also beat the Bulldogs 65–58 earlier that season on the road.
While the overall series heavily favors Southwestern, recent history has been more competitive. McPherson has won seven of the last 10 in the rivalry from 2020 through 2025, though the Lady Builders regained momentum with a season sweep last year.
Saturday's home opener also serves as Military Appreciation Night, with Southwestern honoring active-duty service members, veterans and their families throughout the afternoon.
Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Stewart Field House in Winfield.
