WICHITA, Kan. -- The Friends University Falcons held off the Bethel College Threshers 75-64 for their eighth straight conference victory on FCA Night tonight (Jan. 22) inside the Garvey Center. The win moves the Falcons' overall record to 13-6 and keeps them in firm control of the second spot in the KCAC with a 11-2 league mark. 

The Falcons appeared to have things in hand when KK Peeler drilled a three to make it 69-52 with 5:08 left in the game. 

But the Threshers surged back with the next 11 points to make it a two-possession game at the 2:03 mark. 

The Falcons then managed to tighten things back up and held the Threshers without a field goal the rest of the way to hold on for the victory. 

"You could feel the difference in intensity tonight!" said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "Every possession was big. We did an excellent job of taking away their three-point shooting without fouling. I also liked how our scoring continues to be balanced. At this point in the season, each game seems to matter a little bit more and every game is a battle. It's nice to have our depth.  There are so many different players who can impact the game."

The Falcons led 23-13 after one quarter but the Threshers opened the second period on a 9-2 run and eventually took their first lead of the game at 31-29 behind consecutive scores from Madyson McKinzie. With the score even at 33-33, Abigail Barr hit one free throw and then scored inside to give the Falcons a 36-33 lead at the break. 

Friends opened and closed the third quarter strong to expand the lead, getting five straight points from Taylor Jackson to begin the period and then two free throws each from Rayland Garner and Jackson to carry a double-digit lead of 57-46 into the fourth quarter. 

McIver led the Falcons with 23 points and also contributed defensively with two blocks and three steals. Jackson made a significant impact inside, securing 14 total rebounds and scoring 14 points with three blocked shots. Kori Babcock finished with 12 points and hit a pair of threes for Friends. 

McKinzie paced the Threshers (10-9, 7-4 KCAC) with 19 points, while Kendall Locke added 18 points along with three steals and a team-high ten rebounds. Natalie Richards added 13 points and Karlee Locke had four assists. 

As Jaderston noted, the Falcons played stifling perimeter defense in holding the Threshers to just 10.7 percent shooting (3-of-28) from three-point distance. 

**Game Notes**

- Up next, it'll be a showdown between the KCAC's top two teams when the Falcons play at (RV) Kansas Wesleyan University Saturday evening (Jan. 25) at 6 pm in Salina, Kan.