WICHITA, Kan. – Fresh off of their first conference loss of the season, the Friends University Falcons wasted no time getting back on track with an 88-45 thumping of the Southwestern College Lady Builders in a KCAC matchup today (Dec. 9) inside the Garvey Center.

The Falcons now occupy the third spot in the KCAC with a 5-1 conference record, along with a 7-3 overall mark.

Down 6-3 early, the Falcons quickly righted the ship when a three by Trinity Johnson concluded a 10-0 push.

Friends wouldn't trail again, but the Lady Builders, still searching for their first win of the 2023-24 season, made one more run and clawed within 15-14 behind threes from Heather Chiesi and Saylee Smith.

But the Falcons rapidly put the clamps down as an 11-0 spurt to conclude the opening period was bookended by a three by Kori Babcock and four consecutive points from Taylor Jackson.

That opened the floodgates, with the Falcons beginning the second period with 13 straight points and winning the quarter 23-8 overall for a commanding 49-22 lead at the break.

The third quarter went almost identical for the Falcons, as they outscored the Lady Builders 21-8 to stretch the lead up to 40 points, 70-30 heading to the fourth period.

The Falcons eventually built the lead up to 45 points on a three by Ellie Munds that made it 86-41 with 2:12 remaining.

"It was good to get back to the things we always want to focus on," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston.  "Today we had the ball movement and team defense we've been focusing on. 34 baskets on 24 assists show how well we were sharing the ball. It was a great team effort that hopefully we'll build on when we come back after the break."

Jackson powered the Falcons to victory with her eighth double-double of season, scoring 19 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Johnson scored a career-best 14 points and Rayland Garner added 13. Natia Hagan also dished out a career-best eight assists while recording three steals for Friends.

Christy Wiebe led the Lady Builders (0-10, 0-6 KCAC) with 10 points and six rebounds, with Smith also recording six boards.

The Falcon defense limited the Lady Builders to just 25 percent (16-of-64) shooting for the game and only a 19.4 percent (6-of-31) clip in the second half.

In turn, the Falcons managed to shoot 51.5 percent (34-of-66) from the floor overall, starting with a sizzling 62.1 percent (18-of-29) tally in the opening half.

Friends also dominated the interior to the tune of a 49-33 edge in rebounding.

The Falcons will now wrap up play before the Christmas holiday with a home game vs. (RV) College of the Ozarks on Friday evening (Dec. 15) at 6 pm inside the Garvey Center.

Don't miss the Falcons square off with a tough College of the Ozarks squad before Christmas, purchase tickets now!