WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons began the 2024-25 season on a winning note with an 84-72 victory over the Haskell Indian Nations University Fightin' Indians tonight (Oct. 25) inside the Garvey Center.
During the first quarter, senior forward Taylor Jackson pulled down her fourth rebound to reach 1,000 career rebounds after joining the 1,000 career points club last season.
Friends scored the first 11 points of the game before finishing the opening quarter with a 20-13 advantage. Their aggressive play under the basket resulted in multiple second-chance points, setting the pace for the game.
It was a five-point Falcon lead when an offensive putback by Jackson and one free throw from Natia Hagan pushed the lead to 42-34 at the break.
Kori Babcock then exploded in the second half, scoring 19 points and hitting five of her seven three-pointers on the night to help keep Haskell at bay.
It was a seven point Falcon lead heading to the fourth and with Haskell within five, Babock drilled a huge three to stretch the lead back to double-figures with 3:31 left in the game.
The Falcons were never seriously threatened again, with newcomer Abigail Barr hitting two big shots to put things away down the stretch.
"First game of the year is always interesting because it reveals all sorts of things about your team," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "Haskell is a tough matchup because they play without a lot of size but their guards are really skilled. Having three players with double doubles and a fourth just one rebound away is always a good thing, but our transition defense and efficiency still need a lot of work. Also, congrats to Taylor on joining the 1000-1000 club! That doesn't happen very often!"
Babcock finished with 27 points, just three shy of the career-high mark she set in last season's home opening victory over Barclay College. In her first game as a Falcon, Barr proved formidable inside with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds. Lauryn McIver had a nice all-around stat line of 14 points, a career-high 10 boards and five assists, while Jackson also finished with a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards.
Tierzah Penn and Myona Dauphinais each scored 15 points to lead Haskell, while Penn and Mahpiya Irving both pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds. Angela Astorga added 14 points for Haskell.
The Falcons outrebounded the Fightin' Indians 59-45 overall, with a 26-16 edge on the offensive glass.
Next up for Friends is a matchup at Cottey College on Oct. 31 before returning home next Saturday (Nov. 2) against Dakota Wesleyan University for a 4:30 pm tip-off.
