WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons outscored the Sterling College Warriors 37-19 during the second and third quarters in a 78-64 victory this evening (Jan. 8) inside the Garvey Center. The win moves the Falcons to 9-6 overall and in to second place in the KCAC at 7-2 in the league.
The Falcons jumped out early behind consecutive baskets by Abigail Barr to lead 13-4 at the midway point of the first quarter.
A four-point play by Kori Babcock helped the Falcons stretch the first quarter edge to double-figures before the Warriors ended the period on a 9-1 run to come within 22-20.
A three by Kali Briar continued the spurt and gave the Warriors their first lead of the night until Taylor Jackson responded with a score inside on the next possession to give the Falcons the lead right back.
With the lead hanging at 31-29, it was the Falcons turn to close a quarter strong as Rayland Garner scored five points to jumpstart a 9-0 burst that Lauryn McIver finished with a steal and layup as time expired to give Friends its biggest lead of the half at the break.
Two more buckets by Garner capped a 10-3 run to begin the third quarter and staked the Falcons to a commanding 50-32 edge at the 4:01 mark. Jadyn Glasgow then nailed a three to finish the period and make it 59-39 heading to the fourth.
The Falcons kept up the onslaught in the fourth and gained their largest lead of the game when a three by Babcock made it 66-44 with 6:47 left.
Sterling had one more run and twice came within 11 down the stretch, but McIver stepped up and hit four straight free throws to ice the game for the Falcons.
"That was the best we've done at taking away transition offense this season," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "When we moved the ball we got the looks we wanted. It's always good to have four players in double digits and another with nine. We keep getting better…should be a fun second semester."
Garner led the way for the Falcons with 18 points, with Barr scoring 14 and Jackson producing a double-double of 13 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. McIver added 10 points and was the Falcons' top distributor with a career-high tying 11 assists.
Korynn Clason paced the Warriors (9-6, 5-4 KCAC) with 30 points, while McKenna Vogl scored 12 and Kayla Morris had a team-high nine boards.
The Falcons secured a 44-41 edge overall on the glass and shot 50 percent (33-of-66) from the field while putting the clamps down defensively in holding the Warriors to just a 33.8 percent (25-of-74) clip from the field and 18.8 percent (3-of-16) from three-point distance.
Friends will next play the middle game of their three-game homestand on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 11) at 3 pm vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
