HESSTON, Kan. — Hesston College men's basketball battled early but ultimately fell to McPherson College 89–65 on Tuesday night inside Yost Center. After a strong start that saw the Larks build an eight-point lead midway through the first half, McPherson responded with a decisive run and maintained control the rest of the way.

Hesston opened the game with energy on both ends, fueled by back-to-back threes from Rob Gambill and steady early play from Devin Lewis and Trent Thompson. A jumper from Dante Smith at the 10:38 mark pushed the Larks ahead 18–10, their largest lead of the night. McPherson answered with a series of second-chance baskets and defensive pressure, using an extended run to erase the deficit and take a 39–30 lead into halftime.

Brennon Dodge kept Hesston within reach throughout the second half, scoring 13 of his team-high 21 points after the break while adding six assists and four rebounds. Gambill knocked down three three-pointers on his way to 13 points, and Antonio Odum contributed nine points, five rebounds and five assists before fouling out late. Despite the effort, the Bulldogs' rebounding advantage (51–30) and scoring balance proved too much for Hesston to overcome.

McPherson pulled away for good with a surge around the 10-minute mark of the second half, eventually stretching the margin to its largest at 26 points. The Larks finished the night shooting 41 percent from the field, including 6-for-24 from beyond the arc.

Hesston returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 29, when the Larks host Sterling College inside Yost Center.