McPherson ? McPherson handed Free State its ninth straight loss, 75-57, on Thursday in the first round of the McPherson high school boys basketball invitational.

McPherson (9-0) raced to leads of 11 points after one quarter and 23 points at halftime.

Eric Watson led the Firebirds (1-9) with 20 points. Nick Hassig scored 12 points, and Jake Miller added eight points.

Free State will play Shawnee Mission East in the second round of the tournament at 4:45 p.m. today.