WICHITA, Kan. - The No. 14-ranked Friends University Falcons returned to the win column tonight (Jan. 17), securing a decisive 100–66 victory over the Bethany College Swedes.
Following an evenly matched first half of play, Friends carried a 49–40 lead into halftime before emerging from the break at an entirely different level. The Falcons clamped down defensively, holding Bethany to just 26 second-half points while pouring in 51 of their own, nearly doubling the Swedes' offensive output over the final 20 minutes.
Friends controlled the game across multiple facets. The Falcons' defense was relentless, forcing 22 Bethany turnovers, tallying 12 steals, and converting them into 25 points. The Swedes were limited to just 20 points in the paint and shot 36.7 percent from the field for the game.
Offensively, Friends dominated inside, scoring 44 points in the paint. The Falcons shot their second-highest field-goal percentage of the season at 56.3 percent and tallied 22 assists on 40 made baskets. Friends also controlled the boards, winning the rebounding battle 42–32 and pulling down 14 offensive rebounds that turned into 16 second-chance points. The Falcons knocked down seven three-pointers and went 13-of-21 from the free-throw line, while the bench added a strong 32 points.
Friends was led by five players scoring in double figures. Collin Maclin and Randy Woolf, Jr. paced the Falcons with 17 points apiece. Maclin added six rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Woolf Jr. filled the stat sheet with six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.
Ringo Deng followed with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting, along with three rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Cahlese Lee added 13 points, knocking down two three-pointers and leading the team with seven rebounds. Off the bench, Devin Davis and Eli Benning provided a spark, with Davis scoring 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting and recording a steal, while Benning contributed nine points, three assists, and two steals.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 9–3 in KCAC play and 14–4 overall. Friends returns to action on the road next Wednesday (Jan. 21) for their second meeting of the season against No. 25 Bethel College. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in Newton, Kansas.
