KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Friends University Falcons have moved into the NAIA Women's Basketball Top 25 poll at No. 23 for the program's first national ranking in eight years, the national office released today (Jan. 14).
The Falcons were last ranked at No. 22 in the final edition of the Top 25 poll in the 2017-18 season, following the teams last NAIA National Tournament appearance.
Friends is soaring under head coach Dean Jaderston, winners of 11 straight with a 15-1 record overall. The Falcons are in second place in the KCAC with a 9-1 league record, with their only setback coming to KCAC front-runner Evangel University, who are ranked just ahead at No. 22 in today's poll.
The Falcons sport the KCAC's leading scorer in Rayland Garner at 20.1 points per game, with Lauryn McIver averaging a stat line of 14.3 ppg, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Abigail Barr is second on the team with 14.8 ppg and Katie Weiss has given the Falcons a solid perimeter threat with a team-leading 39 threes on the season.
"It's a real testament to the work our team has put in this year," said Jaderston. "This team continues to get better every day, both on the court and also in their cohesion and toughness. They have done a great job of figuring out ways to improve every week and to help their teammates get stronger in the process. I'm excited to see the level we're playing at when we get to the postseason, but right now we're focused on getting better one game at a time."
Tonight, the Falcons will be at Southwestern College before returning to the Garvey Center to host Bethany College Saturday (Jan. 17) at 3 pm.
