WICHITA, Kan. --The Friends University Falcons fell to the (RV) Columbia College (Mo.) Cougars by a final score of 58-49 in a non-conference game held tonight (Dec. 17) inside the Garvey Center. Packed in the loss was Taylor Jackson reaching 300 career blocks with a swat at the 8:35 mark of the fourth quarter. 

The Falcons scored the first four points of the game, but the Cougars tightened up defensively to build a 13-8 lead.  Following two free throws each from Rayland Garner and Kyla Frenchers, a score from Mallory Shetley put Columbia up by three after one period. 

The Cougars continued to expand the lead and scored the first six points of the second period to jump in front by seven. 

After Mya Miller scored to give the Cougars an eight-point lead, the Falcons closed the half strong with a bucket from Abigail Barr and a three by Lauryn McIver to come within 27-24 at the break. 

Friends continued to hang around and managed to claw within one point twice in the third quarter, but the Cougars held off the Falcons each time and carried a 43-38 lead into the fourth quarter. 

The fourth period started with Columbia's Abby Backes hitting a 3-pointer to increase the lead to eight.  The Cougars were in control from that point and took their largest lead of the game on a three by Lexi Miller that made it 54-43 with 3:03 left. 

McIver led the Falcons (7-6) with 11 points and Barr had a team-high eight rebounds. Jackson, the Falcons' modern-era blocks leader, added 10 points and finished with three swats. Garner also scored 10 points for Friends. 

Shetley scored a game-high 16 points for Columbia while also recording two blocks. Miller contributed 13 points while Miller secured 13 rebounds to go along with her 12 points. Tori Rubel also had double-digit rebounds with 10 for the Cougars, who remain perfect on the season at 11-0. 

The Cougars performance on the boards proved critical in their win, as they outrebounded the Falcons 54-34, highlighted by a 20-7 edge on the offensive glass. It marks just the third time this season Friends has been outrebounded and only the second time with Jackson in the lineup. 

The Falcons will now take time off for the Christmas Break before resuming KCAC action at Ottawa University on Jan. 4 in Ottawa, Kan.