WICHITA, Kan. – In a game that featured a frenetic pace from the outset, it was the (RV) Evangel University Valor pulling away from the (RV) Friends University Falcons 95-88 in the KCAC opener for both teams today (Nov. 15) inside the Garvey Center.
It was an offensive back-and-forth battle throughout until Evangel made one final push, getting a three from Carson Dillard that capped a 8-1 spurt that turned a three-point lead into a double-digit cushion with just 1:25 remaining.
That put it away for the Valor, as the closest the Falcons could come from that point was the final seven-point margin.
If you're a fan of efficient offense, this game was for you. Both teams shot better than 50 percent in the first half and Evangel took a 48-47 lead into the break after the Falcons' Katie Weiss and Dillard exchanged threes in the final minute of the half.
The game featured 16 lead changes overall, with the final turn coming when a basket by Heaven Shockley started a 14-2 spurt that gave the Valor their biggest lead of the game at 70-59 at the 2:14 mark of the third quarter. Evangel wouldn't trail the rest of the way.
"That was a great early season women's college basketball game," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "Numerous lead changes, both teams making runs. We have to guard better and not lose shooters, but to their credit they hit some big shots. We continue to get better. The next step is getting consistency in our pressure defense. The biggest bummer is because of our unbalanced conference schedule, the next time we could play them will be the KCAC tournament. We'll be ready for that one."
Lauryn McIver scored 22 to lead the Falcons (4-1, 0-1 KCAC) and Rayland Garner added 20 and a team-high six rebounds. Abigail Barr had 18 and KK Peeler dished out a team-leading six assists.
Dillard and Shockley each scored 20 to lead five Valor in double-figures. Shockley and Kamie Jenkins led Evangel with nine rebounds, while Cassidy Hambelton had a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists. Ali Kamies scored 11 for the Valor (3-1, 1-0 KCAC).
The Falcons will next remain at home and host Oklahoma Wesleyan University Wednesday evening (Nov. 19) at 6 pm inside the Garvey Center.
