KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Friends University Falcons dominated the second half and knocked off the Avila University Eagles 78-64 for their ninth win in their last 10 outings today (Feb. 1) in Kansas City, Mo. The win keeps the Falcons tied for first in the KCAC with Oklahoma Wesleyan University at 13-3 in the league. 

The Falcons got down 11-3 early and trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half before surging later to pull even at 33-33. 

Avila led 36-35 at the break, but KJ Spiller hit a three to open the second half and continue the Falcons' run and give Friends it first lead of the game. 

The Eagles briefly regained a 42-39 edge, only to have a pair of threes by Randy Woolf, Jr. fuel an 11-1 spurt that put Friends ahead to stay. 

With the lead hovering at five, a jumper by Dannon Lundy and a three-point play by Woolf, Jr. sparked a 10-2 burst that put it away for the Falcons. 

Spiller led a balanced scoring attack for the Falcons (17-5, 13-3 KCAC) with 19 points, followed by 17 points, six rebounds and five assists from Woolf, Jr. Cahlese Lee scored 13 and Collin Maclin added 12, with Lundy leading the Falcons with seven boards. 

Xavier Kahube led the Eagles (9-12, 6-10 KCAC) with 19 points, with Robert Lee III scoring 13. Kahube and Joe Kearney each pulled down a team-leading seven rebounds for Avila. 

The overall field-goal percentage for both teams was close, with the Falcons narrowly outshooting the Eagles 45.9 percent to 44.8 percent. But a remarkable difference came from three-point distance, as the Falcons shot 40.6 percent (13-of-32) from the perimeter compared to just 28.6 percent (6-of-21) for Avila. 

The Falcons will continue its pursuit of a KCAC regular season title back at home Wednesday night (Feb. 5) for an 8 pm tip-off vs. Tabor College.