Bartlesville, Okla. – Friends University senior guard Lauryn McIver scored 16 points to become the program's ninth member of the modern era to reach 1,000 career points to spark the Falcons to a 69-61 victory at the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles today (Jan. 10) in Bartlesville, Okla.
McIver hit two late free throws to reach the 1,000 career point mark, but that wasn't even her most impressive feat of the day. The Phoenix, Ariz. native posted a rare stat line of 16 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, five blocks and three steals in the Falcons' 11th straight win. Friends is now 15-1 overall and in second place in the KCAC at 9-1 in the league, one game behind conference front runner Evangel University.
The Falcons fell behind 11-2 in the early going but fought back when Raegan Bugaj scored two of her career-high 20 points to cap a 12-2 spurt and put Friends on top at the 8:39 mark of the second quarter.
OKWU then regained control with 10 straight points to lead 23-14 and took a 34-29 lead into the break.
Abigail Barr started the second half with a layup before consecutive layups by McIver provided the Falcons with a 37-34 lead.
After the Eagles went back in front 42-41, a three-point play by Barr gave the Falcons a two-point lead heading to the fourth quarter.
It was still a one-point lead for the Falcons when threes by Bugaj, Katie Weiss and KK Peeler fueled a 9-2 burst for a 57-49 cushion with 5:56 left in the game.
Bugaj continued to get into the teeth of the defense and scored six straight points to give the Falcons their biggest lead of the day, 65-54 at the 2:25 mark.
The Falcons were never seriously threatened from that point.
In addition to McIver and Bugaj's heavy contributions, the Falcons got nine points from Barr and eight points apiece from Anna Sant'Anna and Heaven Gilbert.
Gracie Alexander led all scorers with 24 points for OKWU and also recorded four steals.
Friends outshot OKWU 50.9 percent (27-of-53) to 39.3 percent (22-of-56) from the field and held a 34-22 edge in rebounding.
The Falcons will next conclude their three-game road trip on Wednesday (Jan. 14) at Southwestern College. Tip-off will be at 6 pm in Winfield, Kan.
