WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons defeated the Ottawa University Braves 77-61, thanks in large part to an overwhelming 57-31 rebounding advantage in a KCAC matchup tonight (Dec. 2) inside the Garvey Center.
The makes the Falcons 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the KCAC for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Friends is one of three still unbeaten teams in the conference (Tabor College, University of Saint Mary).
Throughout a close first half, Ashlyn Ryall snapped a 36-36 gridlock with a three at the buzzer to provide the Falcons with a three-point lead at the break.
Following a scoreless 2:30 to open the third period, the Falcons gained further separation when consecutive buckets by Taylor Jackson capped a 6-0 spurt that was extended to 10-3 with a score from Rayland Garner for a double-figure lead of 49-39.
The Falcons carried a 58-46 lead into the fourth quarter and another score from Jackson pushed the lead up to 14, the biggest of the night to that point.
Friends kept Ottawa at arm's length the rest of the way, never letting the lead dip below double-digits and scoring the last four points of the game to obtain their largest lead of the game.
"Tonight our team defense and rebounding was the difference," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "We didn't get out of our game plan when they hit eight 3s in the first quarter but just stayed the course and eventually found our rhythm. Anytime you can get two double doubles in the same game, and a third player with double digit rebounds too, you're probably in good shape. It was a good week of practice and preparation, and the whole team should enjoy this one."
The Falcons fell behind early 8-2 and then trailed 26-18 at the end of the first quarter before finding their footing in the second period.
A three by Kori Babcock and a basket from Lauryn McIver finished a 7-0 spurt to begin the second quarter and a short time later, a bucket by Garner gave the Falcons their first lead of the game at 29-28 at the 4:50 mark.
The Falcons were fueled by double-doubles from Jackson (21 points, 15 rebounds) and Garner (22 points, 12 rebounds), with Kassie Kinniburgh also reaching double-figures in rebounding with 10 boards to contribute to Friends' dominance inside.
Babcock also finished in double-digit scoring with 13 points, with McIver dishing out a team-high six assists. Garner and Trinity recorded three thefts for the Falcons on the defensive end.
Kennedy Bankett paced the Braves with 19 points and Abby Dietsche had 14 points and a team-leading eight rebounds. Janiyah Hendricks led Ottawa (1-3, 4-4 KCAC) with six assists and four steals.
Sparking the Falcons overpowering advantage on the glass was a 24-7 edge in offensive rebounding, highlighted by seven offensive boards from Jackson.
The Falcons will look to stay perfect in the KCAC when they travel to Leavenworth, Kan. to face the University of Saint Mary Spires Wednesday evening (Dec. 6) at 6 pm.
