Wichita Standard

Braves Nip Men's Basketball Falcons, 88-82

The Friends University Falcons put together a strong effort on the road, but ultimately came up short 88-82 at the Ottawa University Braves in KCAC action tonight (Feb. 1) in Ottawa, Kan.

The Falcons came out strong, scoring 11 of the game's first 13 points behind three-pointers from Trey Reid (SO/Wichita, Kan. ), Eastyn Ruffin (SO/Wichita, Kan. ) and Christian Williams (FR/Wichita, Kan. ).

Ian Moore provided a solid response for Ottawa with eight points to fuel an 11-0 push that gave Ottawa its first lead of the game at the 9:11 mark of the opening half.

The Falcons charged right back and got two treys from Al Emerllahu (FR/San Antonio, Texas) and five points by Tim Barbieri (JR/Abilene,Kan. ) during a run of 14 straight for an 11-point edge of 28-17 with 5:56 left until halftime.

After the Braves scored the next five points, another three from Reid and a bucket by Barbieri stretched the lead back to double-figures at 33-22.

It was still an 11-point edge for the Falcons when a three-pointer by Amil Fields sparked a 12-4 run over the final 2:37 of the half to pull the Braves within 39-36 at the break.

The Braves came within one early in the second half, but the Falcons got five straight points from Williams to stem the tide back in their direction.

Another shot from the perimeter by Williams at the 13:27 mark gave the Falcons an eight-point lead again before the Braves made a surge of eight straight points to pull even for the first time since it was knotted at 17-17 with 8:50 left in the first half.

Barbieri scored and Ian Konek (SR/Long Beach, Calif.) hit a three to help the Falcons temporarily regain the lead, but the Braves then went on a decisive spurt as a three from Deondre Buggage tied the score and jumpstarted an 8-0 burst for a 67- 62 Ottawa lead with 7:05 left in the game.

The Falcons refused to go quietly and trimmed the deficit to one possession on a score by Reid that made it 70-67 at the 5:23 mark.

But a three by Moore and score from Elijah Mason expanded the lead to eight for Ottawa, its biggest lead to that point.

With the Falcons back within four with 47 seconds remaining, the Braves hit four critical free throws to finally put Friends away.

Barbieri anchored the Falcons with a powerful double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds. Williams finished with 20 points and tied his career-high of five assists. Reid scored 13 and Emerllahu chipped in with 12 points for Friends.

Moore led five Braves in double-figure scoring with 25 points, while Ty Bland recorded a double-double of 10 points and 14 boards.

The Falcons were outshot from the field 53.6 percent to 45.1 percent, but did manage a 14-8 edge on the offensive glass that resulted in a 37-34 advantage overall in rebounding.

Next up is a matchup at the University of Saint Mary Saturday night (Feb. 7) in Leavenworth, Kan. The Falcons will then host Sterling College on Feb. 8 at 8 pm inside the Garvey Center.

Original source can be found here.