WICHITA, Kan. – The (RV) Friends University Falcons grinded out a 51-43 defensive slugfest over the Tabor College Bluejays this evening (Dec. 10) inside the Garvey Center to improve to 10-1 overall and 5-1 in the KCAC.
Rayland Garner, the KCAC's leading scorer, was held scoreless through the first three quarters but caught fire and scored nine straight points to open the fourth period to fuel an 11-0 run that turned a three-point deficit into an eight-point lead of 39-31.
The Falcons maintained a cushion and twice built a game-high lead of 11 points, the last time being 47-36 on a basket by Raegan Bugaj.
Tabor made one final push behind five straight points from Lillie Veer to climb within 48-43 with 27 seconds left.
But a three-point play by Lauryn McIver with 10 seconds remaining shut the door for the Falcon victory.
The opening half was a tale of two quarters, with the Falcons limiting the Bluejays to 2-of-13 shooting in the first period to lead 12-4 before Tabor tightened the screws in the second period and outscored Friends 11-2 to lead 15-14 at the break.
Tabor then carried that over into the early portion of the second half and began the third quarter on an 8-2 spurt to take their biggest lead of the night at 23-16.
Abigail Barr helped the Falcons respond with consecutive buckets before a three by KK Peeler tied the score at the 4:35 mark of the third quarter.
The Bluejays would battle back to lead 31-28 heading into the fourth period.
McIver led the Falcons with 16 points and Barr chipped in with 12 points and eight boards. Garner finished with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds along with a game-high five assists. Heaven Gilbert had three steals for Friends.
Veer and Adrian Hazelwood each had 11 points to pace the Bluejays (5-7, 3-3 KCAC). Tayton Smith had a team-high eight rebounds and Hailey Contreras led Tabor with four assists.
After shooting just 25 percent (7-of-28) in the first half, the Falcons warmed up to shoot 57.1 percent (16-of-28) after halftime.
The Falcons did their heavy lifting inside, outscoring the Bluejays 36-12 in the paint and hitting just two threes, their fewest made three-pointers of the season.
Friends will wrap up play before the Christmas Break at McPherson College Saturday (Dec. 13) for a 1 pm tip-off in McPherson, Kan.
