WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Women's Basketball Falcons made their mark in the conference today (Jan. 8), with sophomore forward Rayland Garner collecting KCAC Offensive Player of the Week honors and junior forward Taylor Jackson earning the league's top defensive award, the conference office has announced.
Garner receives the offensive nod for the third time in her career, all coming this season. A native of Kingfisher, Okla., Garner averaged 25 points per game, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in the Falcons' two games this past week, highlighted by a 30-point career-high effort in a 92-59 victory over York University on Saturday (Jan. 6).
As part of her 30-point performance, Garner helped the Falcons flip the script by scoring 14 points of a 28-2 burst that turned a nine-point deficit into a 17-point cushion.
Garner ranks second in the KCAC in scoring (17.5 ppg) this season and is fourth in field-goal percentage (52.7 percent).
"Ray was dominant on the offensive end all week," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "She's so quick in transition and the way she finishes through contact makes her dangerous on every touch. What makes it even better is that she's such a great teammate. She energizes her whole team!"
This also marks Jackson's third defensive award of the 2023-24 campaign and 12th overall for the Houston, Texas native.
Jackson once again anchored the Falcons' defensive efforts, averaging double-digit defensive rebounds (10.0) along with 3.5 blocks.
She had 13 defensive boards vs. Tabor and blocked a season-high tying five shots in a 92-59 victory over York University.
For the season, Jackson is tops in the KCAC in defensive rebounding (7.1) and second in blocks (2.3 bpg). She is also atop the Falcons' modern-era career leaderboard with 236 swats for her career.
"Taylor continues to change how teams have to play against us," noted Jaderston. "It's not just the number of rebounds and blocks she gets, but also the number of times people don't even try to shoot or alter their shot when she's near. She had a great week and continues to get better every week.
The Falcons are currently 9-5 overall and 6-2 in the KCAC with a conference matchup looming Wednesday evening (Jan. 10) at Avila University. Tip-off will be at 6 pm in Kansas City, Mo.
