WICHITA, Kan. - The No. 17 Friends University Falcons returned to the win column with a high-tempo, high-scoring 96–83 victory over the Avila University Eagles.
This matchup featured the two highest-scoring offenses in the KCAC, and it lived up to the hype as both teams surpassed their season scoring averages. Friends and Avila stayed within striking distance of each other through the first ten minutes of the opening half, until the Falcons built a 24-16 lead with just under 12 minutes remaining.
Avila responded with a strong push, trimming the deficit to just one point at 27-26 with nine minutes remaining in the half. The Falcons, however, quickly seized back control, using an 11-0 run to build a 38-26 lead with less than seven minutes to play before the break. Avila chipped away at the margin over the final minutes of the half, and a last-second three-pointer cut the deficit to nine as Friends took a 53–44 lead into halftime behind 17 first-half points from Randy Woolf, Jr. and 11 first-half three-pointers from the Falcons.
The second half opened with a surge from the Eagles, who pulled within one at 57-56 with 17 minutes remaining after they were able to convert on three consecutive offensive rebounds. The game remained competitive throughout the half, but the Falcons never relinquished the lead. Friends gradually extended their advantage behind strong performances from Woolf Jr. and Collin Maclin, and with under two minutes to play, the Falcons built their lead to 15 points. Friends would go on to defeat Avila, 96-83.
Friends shot 52.1 percent from the field and an impressive 46.9 percent from three-point range, finishing with 15 made three-pointers as a team. The Falcons also recorded 25 assists on 38 made baskets, marking their third game this season with at least 25 assists.
Friends collected 7 steals and outrebounded Avila 41-29, which included 18 offensive rebounds that converted into 18 second chance points.
Friends was led offensively by Collin Maclin and Randy Woolf, Jr., who each scored 26 points. Maclin shot an efficient 11-of-16 from the field and nearly recorded a triple-double, dishing out a season-high nine assists while grabbing eight rebounds. Woolf Jr. was just as effective, going 10-of-14 from the floor while adding six rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal to cap off his strong all-around performance.
Cahlese Lee added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Al Emerllahu rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 points, knocking down three three-pointers and contributing five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
In his second career start, Eli Benning totaled five points while dishing out seven assists and pulling down four rebounds. Off the bench, Owen Evans provided a spark with nine points on three three-pointers, while also adding four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
With the victory, Friends improves to a 12–4 record in KCAC play and 17–5 record overall. The Falcons will hit the road next Wednesday (Feb. 4) for their second matchup of the season against the Tabor College Bluejays. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in Hillsboro, Kansas.
