WICHITA, Kan. – In an intense battle for 40 minutes that saw neither team break free, the Sterling College Warriors took over the extra session and won 86-76 over the Friends University Falcons in the KCAC postseason tournament championship game tonight (Mar. 4) inside the Garvey Center. Sterling gains an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, with the selection show set for Thursday evening (Mar. 6) at 6 pm.
Untimely Drought: The Falcons and Warriors battled to a standstill through regulation and headed into overtime tied 76-76. But once in the extra session, the Falcon offense dried up in a major way. Friends missed all seven shots in overtime, including going 0-of-3 from three-point distance and 0-2 at the foul line. Sterling did just enough offensively, getting six points from Kali Briar and winning the extra period 10-0 to close out the tournament title.
Living Up to the Billing: Some championship games don't live up to the stakes, but this was not one of those cases. A packed Garvey Center was treated to high-level, championship basketball throughout the night. The Falcons and Warriors' clash featured 15 ties and 22 lead changes in a breathtaking back-and-forth matchup. Sterling led after one quarter 17-16, Friends was up 36-35 at the break and the third quarter was tied late until a three by Briar gave the Warriors a 55-52 lead going to the fourth. Just an amazing, high-octane basketball game with so much on the line.
High Barr: Abigail Barr scored a team-high 21 points, including garnering six offensive rebounds and putting in multiple putbacks to keep the Falcons close all night.
Shooting Anomaly: The Falcons lost for just the fourth time in 20 tries when leading in field-goal percentage (43.2 percent to 39.7 percent).
Senior Production: Playing in their final game at Friends, Taylor Jackson (19 points), Lauryn McIver (15 points) and Kori Babcock (11 points) were three of the Falcons' top four scorers tonight.
Interesting Tidbits: The Falcons held a whopping 52-22 edge in points in the paint, but the Warriors led 29-6 in points off turnovers and 22-6 in points off the bench.
Final Word: The Falcons end the season at 19-12 overall after making their second appearance in the KCAC tournament championship game in the last three years
Falcons' Top Performers
Abigail Barr – 21 points, nine rebounds
Taylor Jackson – 19 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks, four assists
Lauryn McIver – 15 points, seven assists, five rebounds
Kori Babcock – 11 points, three steals
Sadie Hopman – Three blocks
Warriors' Top Performers
Korynn Clason – 17 points, four assists
Alissa Heskamp – 16 points
Kali Briar – 16 points, six assists
Karlee Jacobs – 11 points, four steals
