Hillsboro, Kan. -- The Friends University Falcons secured a 70-53 victory over the Tabor College Bluejays tonight (Dec. 11) in Hillsboro, Kan. to improve to 8-2 on the season and 5-1 in the KCAC. It's the Falcons' best 10-game start since beginning the 2013-14 season 16-2.
The first half between Friends and Tabor saw a competitive start, with both teams exchanging leads. Tabor initially took a 7-point lead, thanks to shooting from beyond the arc, with Kam Kaniper and Zach Hiebert contributing key 3-pointers. Friends responded with a strong offensive rebound effort, led by
Josh Price and
Collin Maclin, who both converted second-chance opportunities to help the Falcons take control in the latter part of the half. Friends capitalized on Tabor's turnovers, notably with
Kee'on Hutton's late steal and subsequent jumper, helping them secure a 27-23 lead by the end of the half.
The second half began with Tabor's James Shoenfelt hitting a 3-pointer to bring Tabor within one, but the Falcons responded effectively, with Price hitting back-to-back jumpers, including a 3-pointer, to push the lead to 34-26. Friends continued its offensive surge with contributions from
Randy Woolf, Jr.,
Ring Deng, and
Cahlese Lee, who each added to the scoreboard to extend the lead to 46-30. Friends maintained control the rest of the way, with a jumper from
Jackson Swartz making it 63-38 for the Falcons' biggest lead of the night.
"It was a great team win on the road," Friends men's basketball head coach
Phil McClintock said. "We didn't shoot it well in the first half, going 0-10 from 3, but kept them to 23 points in the first. The lid came open for us in the second half and our defense stayed stout. Any win on the road is a great win."
Dannon Lundy came off the bench and led the Falcons with a career-high 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting, highlighting his efficiency from the field. Price also made a significant contribution with 11 points, connecting on 5 of 11 attempts, including a 3-pointer.
KJ Spiller distributed a team-leading three assists for Friends.
Marvin Ruffin paced the Bluejays (1-8, 1-5 KCAC) with 12 points and Kaniper scored 11, while Batosse Gado had 10 rebounds.
The Falcon defense was stingy throughout, limiting the Bluejays to just a 24.6 percent (15-of-61) shooting clip. Friends also outrebounded Tabor 44-33, including a 13-6 edge on the offensive glass.
Game Notes:
- The Falcons will look to keep rolling at home Saturday evening (Dec. 14) vs. McPherson College at 5 pm inside the Garvey Center.
