WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons nipped at the heels of the No. 11-ranked and undefeated Southwestern College Moundbuilders for the duration of the contest, but couldn't get over the hump in a 90-82 setback in KCAC action today (Dec. 9) inside the Garvey Center.

The Falcons were in the game throughout and got off to a strong start, getting a pair of early threes from Kee'on Hutton and one trey by Drew Patterson to take an 11-3 lead less than three minutes into the game.

It was a five-point lead for Friends when Andrew O'Brien hit a three to start an 11-2 run that put Southwestern up 24-20 at the 11:01 mark of the first half.

As was the theme most of the day, the Falcons refused to let the Builders gain too much separation and roared back as a three by KJ Spiller and a bucket from Collin Maclin capped a 9-2 spurt and turned the tide back in Friends' favor at 31-28.

After a basket by the NAIA's second leading scorer Cevin Clark gave the Builders a one-point lead, Al Emerllahu converted a three-point play ahead of the halftime buzzer to give the Falcons a 40-38 lead at the break.

The Builders came out of halftime with the first six points to lead by four, but the Falcons again responded with the next five points to go back up by one.

Seven straight points from Clark then keyed a 9-0 run overall to give the Builders their biggest lead to that point of 53-45 with 14:39 remaining.

Following a three by Justin DeMaria that gave Southwestern its first double-digit lead at the 8:30 mark, it was Deron McDaniel's turn to bring the Falcons back with seven points of a 13-4 burst that made it a one-point game with still 4:18 left.

But eight consecutive points from O'Brien, including back-to-back threes, finally gave the Builders the push they needed to pull away from the Falcons and remain unbeaten on the season.

The Falcons placed five players in double-figures today, led by 17 points from Hutton.  McDaniel set a new career-high with 16 points, while Spiller followed with a double-double of 12 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. Patterson and Emerllahu each chipped in with 10 points, with Steele Chapman posting two assists and a pair of steals for Friends (4-6, 2-4 KCAC).

Clark led all scorers with 31 points for Southwestern and O'Brien finished with 17 points. Trey Abasolo recorded a game-high six assists for the Builders (11-0, 5-0 KCAC).

Up next, the Falcons will conclude action before the Christmas break with a home matchup vs. Bacone College Tuesday night (Dec. 12) at 7 pm inside the Garvey Center.