WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons put together a competitive effort in an 87-72 loss at the NCAA D-I Wichita State University Shockers in an exhibition game for the Falcons today (Dec. 29) at Charles Koch Arena.
Down 14-2 early, the Falcons fought back behind a pair of threes by Ring Deng and then got a trey from Cahlese Lee that capped an 18-6 spurt and tied the score at 20-20.
Xavier Bell answered for the Shockers with 10 points, including seven straight to key a 15-5 burst and put WSU back up 35-25 at the 4:33 mark of the first half.
A three by Al Emerllahu brought Friends within seven and the Shockers carried a 45-36 lead into the break.
The Shockers then opened the second half with 14 of the first 17 points to stretch the lead to 20 at 59-39.
Down 21, the Falcons didn't flinch and got five straight points from Dannon Lundy and then another three by Emerllahu and a layup by Collin Maclin trimmed the lead to 64-53 with 11:26 left.
WSU kept the Falcons at bay from that point, but the Falcons came as close as 10 on a pair of free throws from Randy Wolf, Jr. with 2:08 left before the Shockers scored seven straight to put it away.
"I'm proud of how our guys competed against Wichita State tonight," Friends men's basketball head coach Phil McClintock said. "I felt like we were the aggressor for much of the game and were able to handle a few runs by them, never giving up. We forced them into more turnovers than we had, which I was happy with. They beat us up on the boards with their size in the second half, which was the difference in the game. We are looking forward to getting back on the court in a few days against Hastings."
Maclin led the Falcons with 18 points, with Lee scoring 11 and Wolf, Jr. adding 10 points and a game-high five assists. Deng led Friends with six rebounds.
Bell led all scorers with 29 points to pace the Shockers, while Quincy Ballard had a double-double of 17 points and 16 boards. Corey Washington scored 16 and AJ McGinnis added 11 for WSU.
The Falcons were outrebounded 44-32, but forced 18 Shocker turnovers, compared to 14 of their own.
As McClintock noted, the Falcons will be right back in action Tuesday (Dec. 31) on New Year's Eve at 1 pm vs. Hastings College inside the Garvey Center.
