Orange City, Iowa -- The (RV) Friends University Falcons' second half rally fell short in an 86-75 loss at the (RV) Northwestern College Red Raiders on the final day of the Northwestern/Pizza Ranch Classic today (Nov. 7) in Orange City, Iowa.
Northwestern took control in the first half by hitting five three-pointers in a 15-0 run to take an 18-5 lead.
Isaac Jones helped the Falcons work back into the game with a jumper, two layups, two free throws and a 3-pointer to cut the score to 22-20 at the 9:19 mark of the opening half. The Red Raiders pushed the margin back to 27-20 and went on to lead 45-37 at the break.
The Red Raiders opened the second half with a Grant Tigges' 3-pointer for a 48-37 lead, but the Falcons answered through the paint with baskets from
Cannon Williams,
Deshaun Lewis,
Jordan Edwards and Jones to trim the deficit to 52-47. After Northwestern moved back ahead 55-47,
Trey Knight scored inside,
Brody Kreutzer hit a 3-pointer off an
Owen Evans steal, and Evans converted after Kreutzer's steal to make it a one-point game at 55-54 with 12:31 left.
With the Red Raiders up 66-63, Jones nailed a 3-pointer off an assist from
Eli Benning to create the first tie of the game with 7:15 left. But Boston Ekart scored to put Northwestern back ahead and ignite a 12-2 spurt that put the Red Raiders back in control. The hosts then hit eight free throws over the final 1:26 to put it away.
The Falcons will next compete in an exhibition game at Wichita State University on Wednesday (Nov. 11) for a 6:30 pm tipoff at Charles Koch Arena. The Falcons will then open up KCAC action at home Saturday (Nov. 14) vs. Sterling College at 7 pm inside the Garvey Center.
Friends Top Performers
Isaac Jones
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- 27 points (Career-high)
- 11-for-16 field goals
- 3-for-6 3-pointers
- 4 rebounds
Deshaun Lewis
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- 12 points
- 6 rebounds
- 3 steals
- 2 blocks
Jordan Edwards
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- 10 points
- 5 rebounds
- 2 steals
- 4-for-4 free throws
Eli Benning
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- 7 assists
- 3 steals
Northwestern Top Performers
Grant Tigges
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- 26 points
- 8-for-11 field goals
- 3-for-5 3-pointers
- 5 assists
Brennan Reid
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- 14 points
- 9 rebounds
- 4-for-7 3-pointers
- 3 assists
Boston Ekart
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- 13 points
- 6-for-10 field goals
- 6 rebounds
- 2 steals
Trey Brandt
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- 11 points
- 5 rebounds
- 3 assists
