Friends University Wins 2015 KCAC Men's Basketball Championship - Mar 12, 2015

Friends University used a 47 percent shooting performance to win, 74-59, over Sterling College and claim the 2015 KCAC Men's Basketball Championship on Monday at Hartman Arena.
The Falcons took a quick 15-7 lead in the first half, capped by back-to-back three-point baskets by Brett Williams (6'1''-G) and Toby Baxter (6'2''-G). Sterling was able to fight back with back-to-back three's from Braden Thompson (6'5''-F) and Brandon Givens (6'2''-G) to cut the lead, 24-19, for Friends.
The Warriors continued to fight back though and came within one point with 2:43 left in the first half off of a dunk from Josiah Ray (6'6''-F) and back-to-back put backs from Fayola Oyatayo (6'4''-F).
The Falcons answered with 5-0 run on a three from Cody Scott (6'3''-F) and a two-pointer from Brandon Johnson (6'3''-G) to extend the lead back to five, 33-27, with 1:05 on the clock, but the Warriors had the final say in the first half with a last second shot from Brandon Stacker (6'1''-F), going into the locker room down four, 33-29.
Sterling went into halftime shooting 45.8 percent (11-for-24) from the field and 80 percent (4-for-5) from the free-throw line, while Friends shot 41 percent (12-for-29) from the field and 33 percent (1-for-3) from the charity strip in the first half. The Warriors had the edge on rebounds in the first 20 minutes, 17-16, but the Falcons forced five turnovers to keep the lead.
Sterling came out the locker room and battled back from their first half deficit, tying the game up a 38-38 on a 9-5 run with 13:58 left in the game, highlighted by a block by Thompson on one side of the court, followed by a three by Thompson on the offensive side.
The Falcons cashed in on back-to-back turnovers for four quick points and ignited a 21-3 run by Friends to get their biggest lead of the game so far, 59-41, with 6:23 left in the game.
Sterling closed the game with a 10-4 run, but it was not enough as Friends would take the 2015 KCAC Men's Basketball Championship with a 74-59 victory over the Warriors.
The Falcons had three players in double digits, but Baxter led all players with 16 points. Johnson finished the game with 15 points, while Williams contributed 14 points and led the team with six assists. Thompson led the Warriors in scoring with 15 points, Ray was second on the team with 12, while Oyatayo finished with 10. Both Thompson and Oyatayo led Sterling with five rebounds apiece.
Friends shot 47 percent (25-for-53) from the field, 54 percent (12-for-22) from three-point range, and 70 percent (12-for-17) from the free-throw line in the victory. The Falcons forced 14 turnovers, stole the ball 10 times, blocked five shots, and finished the game with 17 assists.
Sterling ended the game shooting 41 percent (22-for-53) from the field, 69 percent (9-for-13) from the charity stripe, and 30 percent (6-for-10) from beyond the arc.

Courtesy of KCACSports

KCAC Tournament Final: Friends - Sterling 74-59
KCAC Tournament Semifinals:
Friends - Tabor 89-79
Sterling - Saint Mary 65-64