WICHITA, Kan. – The (RV) Friends University Falcons withstood a second half rally by the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers (USAO) Drovers and won 66-64 this evening (Nov. 25) inside the Garvey Center.
The Falcons started quickly, getting six points from Rayland Garner and the first career three-pointer by Abigail Barr for an early 14-3 lead.
A score by Raegan Bugaj extended the lead up to 19-6 and it was a 22-12 edge at the end of the first quarter.
Four more points from Garner and Barr's second career three sparked a 7-0 run to begin the second period and made it 29-12.
A bucket inside by Heaven Gilbert gave the Falcons what would be their biggest lead of the night at 37-16 with 2:33 left in the first half. Friends went on to a 40-23 lead at the break.
The Falcons were plagued by 17 turnovers in the second half, including nine in the third quarter that opened the door for the Drovers to chip away.
A 9-3 run to end the third period and then a score by Hannah Harris to open the fourth made it a single-digit game of 53-45.
The Falcons managed to keep the Drovers at arm's length for much of the fourth quarter until Nyapar Mathot scored to make it 65-60. Friends then failed to score on the other end and a pair of free throws by Evangelia Davlakou made it a one-possession game for the first time since it was 2-0.
After the Falcons committed another turnover, they chose to foul Davlakou with two seconds left. She made both to make it a one-point game. But USAO was whistled for a technical foul for calling a timeout when they didn't have one, so Lauryn McIver proceeded to split a pair at the foul line and the Falcons were then able to dribble out the clock and hang on for the victory to improve to 7-1 on the season.
"We got off to a great start both offensively and defensively," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "We needed it because we knew they'd make a run in the second half. It's good to get to break, catch our breath, then go on another run before Christmas. If we can start taking care of the basketball a little better, we won't have to be quite as stressed down the stretch."
Garner scored a team-high 19 points and had five steals for the Falcons, with McIver just missing a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Barr chipped in with 13 points and KK Peeler dished out a game-high five assists.
Davlakou paced the Drovers (5-1) with 20 points and recorded five steals and four assists, with Mya Brown adding 10 points, six boards and four assists. Harris also pulled down six rebounds for USAO.
The Falcons outshot the Drovers 45.5 percent (25-of-55) to 37.7 percent (23-of-61) and held a slim 37-36 edge on the glass.
Following the Thanksgiving Break, the Falcons will get right back into KCAC action at home next Wednesday evening (Dec. 3) at 6 pm vs. Bethel College.
