WICHITA, Kan. – The third-seeded Friends University Falcons put forth a business-like effort in dispatching the sixth-seeded Bethany College Swedes 70-51 tonight (Feb. 28) in the KCAC postseason tournament quarterfinal round inside the Garvey Center. Friends will play at the second-seeded University of Saint Mary Spires in the semifinals Saturday afternoon (Mar. 2) at 2 pm in Leavenworth, Kan.
The Falcons never trailed past the 3:51 mark of the first quarter, but had to fight off the Swedes multiple times.
A three by Kori Babcock gave the Falcons a seven-point lead and it was a 19-15 edge after one quarter.
Seven points from Rayland Garner, including a three-point play, ignited an 11-0 start to the second period and put the Falcons up by 15 with 4:44 left in the first half.
The Swedes then closed the deficit down the stretch, scoring the next 10 points to come within five before a score inside by Taylor Jackson gave the Falcons a 32-25 lead at the break.
Much like the second quarter, the Falcons came out hot in the third when two more threes from Babcock keyed an 11-2 spurt during the first four minutes of the second half and stretched the lead to 16 at 43-27.
Bethany once again fought their way back into it with six points from R'Manie Pulling fueling a 13-3 run that trimmed the Falcon down to 46-40 late in the third.
A bucket by Garner gave Friends an eight-point lead heading to the fourth and two quick buckets from Jackson pushed the lead back to 52-40.
With the lead hanging at 11, a three by Trinity Johnson jumpstarted a 7-0 burst that pushed the lead up to 18 points with 3:59 left.
This time, there would be no run by the Swedes to get back into it as the Falcons continued to stretch out the lead. The final victory margin of 19 points represented the Falcons' biggest lead of the night.
"We were very solid defensively tonight, guarding without fouling (only gave up 4 FT) and holding them to under 31% shooting," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "Handling Bethany's pressure was another big thing and we played with the fewest turnovers since our McPherson game in January, winning the turnover battle in the process. I thought we maximized our size advantage and in the second we started moving the ball to open shooters. It's always good to get the first playoff game win. Now we get to focus on St. Mary in a rematch from last year's championship game."
A first-team All-KCAC selection earlier today, Garner played to that level with game-high totals of 19 points and five assists while also recording three steals. The KCAC Defensive Player of the Year, Jackson produced a powerful double-double of 18 points and 17 rebounds along with four blocks. Lauryn McIver was named the KCAC Newcomer of the Year and also recorded three thefts in tonight's win for the Falcons (23-6).
Pulling led the Swedes (15-14) with 16 points and four assists off the bench, with Jaden Newfarmer pulling down a team-leading 11 boards.
The Falcons outrebounded the Swedes 46-44 and enjoyed a bigger edge of 28-12 in points in the paint.
Looking ahead to Saturday's semifinal matchup, it'll be a rematch of last year's KCAC championship game that saw the Spires come out on top. This season, the Falcons and Spires split the series, with each school winning on its home floor.
