KANSAS CITY, Kan. — No. 7 seed McPherson saw its season come to an end Wednesday afternoon in the Class 4A boys state quarterfinals, falling to unbeaten No. 2 seed Atchison, 73-53, at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
McPherson finished the season 16-10, while Atchison improved to 26-0 and advanced to the state semifinals.
The Bullpups stayed within striking distance through the first half and trailed just 28-27 at the break after a competitive opening two quarters.
Atchison took control coming out of halftime, however, using a dominant third quarter to break the game open. The Phoenix outscored McPherson 27-8 in the period to build a double-digit cushion and never looked back.
Jett Pyle led the Bullpups with 24 points, while Cole Cooper added 12 and Ashton Malm scored 10.
McPherson scored 11 points in the first quarter, 17 in the second, eight in the third and 17 in the fourth. Atchison countered with 13 points in the first, 14 in the second, 27 in the third and 19 in the fourth.
Atchison will face the winner of No. 3 seed Pratt (21-3) and No. 6 seed Baldwin (19-6) in the Class 4A state semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hutchinson Sports Arena. Pratt and Baldwin are scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Garvey Center on the Friends University campus in Wichita.