Lindsborg, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons outscored the Bethany College Swedes 46-29 in the second half to turn a four-point halftime lead into a comfortable 89-68 victory in KCAC action tonight (Jan. 18) in Lindsborg, Kan. The win keeps the Falcons in a tie for the second spot in the league with a 9-3 conference mark. 

With the score even at 47-47 in the second half, Collin Maclin came alive with a tip-in and a 3-pointer to fuel a 7-1 burst and give the Falcons a six-point lead.  

Threes by Kenny Haynes and JD Carson twice brought the Swedes within three, but the Falcons responded with a knockout punch and used an 18-2 run to take a commanding 19-point lead of 75-56 with 7:38 remaining. 

After the Swedes clawed within 11, KJ Spiller and Cahlese Lee each scored five points as the Falcons scored the final 10 points and held the Swedes scoreless over the final 4:21. 

The Falcons trailed by six in the first half on two occasions, 6-0 and then 16-10 before exploding over the next six minutes with a 20-2 surge to take a 30-18 lead with 8:54 left in the opening half. 

Dannon Lundy scored the first six points of the run and the Falcons got valuable contributions across the board, as Al Emerllahu, Ring Deng and Spiller each scored four points during the key stretch. 

The Swedes though answered back and used a 15-4 run to pull even at 39-39 at the 2:38 mark. 

But a layup by Randy Woolf, Jr. and a jumper from Maclin gave the Falcons a 43-39 lead at the break. 

Spiller powered the Falcons (13-5, 9-3 KCAC) with 31 points, eclipsing his career-high by one point. Spiller hit 12 of 17 from the field, including two 3-pointers and five free throws. Woolf, Jr. scored a career-high tying 17 on an efficient 8 of 10 from the floor and was active defensively with two blocks and two steals. Deng was a dominant presence on the boards, grabbing a career-best 12 rebounds while leading the team with five assists.  Collin Maclin also had a strong performance, scoring 14 points and providing four dimes.

Emmanuel Akpan led the Swedes (7-10, 4-8 KCAC) with 20 points and Haynes scored 17, including five 3-pointers. Devin Spencer added 11 points and led the team with six assists and four steals. 

The Falcons controlled the game on both ends, outshooting the Swedes 57.8 percent (37-of-64) to 33.3 percent (22-of-66) and holding a massive 36-23 edge on the glass. 

Friends will next return to the Garvey Center and host Bethel College Wednesday night (Jan. 22) at 8 pm.