Kansas Wesleyan Upsets Top-Seed Friends

Mike Hammett - Sat 10:06 PM 02/23/2013

Kansas Wesleyan used outstanding offense in the first half and outstanding defense in the second half to end Friends' 15-game winning streak and perfect season at the Garvey Center in a 66-49 win in the KCAC women's semifinals.

In the first half, the Coyotes and Falcons traded leads early, with the lead changing hands six times with six ties in the first 13 minutes. The Coyotes took the final lead of the half on a basket by Kalie LeShore with 9:46 to play in the half. With the game tied at 23, Jessica Olson hit a three, then converted a three-point play to give the Coyotes a six point lead at 29-23. The Coyotes would build to the 11 point halftime lead, with the final six points before the break coming from freshman post Brittney Stever. The Coyotes led 41-30 at the break.

In the second half, defense took center stage after a Friends run to start the half. The Falcons scored 12 of the first 16 points of the half to trail 45-42 with 14:13 to go. That's when the tables turned.

Friends would score just seven points the remainder of the game, with just one field goal in the span. The Falcons would go scoreless for 10:55 and without a field goal for 11:30.

However, the Coyotes didn't take full advantage of the stretch. During Friends' scoreless streak, the Coyotes managed an 8-0 run to go up 53-42 with 3:34 to play.

KWU hit key free throws down the stretch to pull away for the win.

Alecia Smith led the way with 19 points, while Jessica Olson added 14 and Christian Cassity 12. Freshman Brittney Stever added six off the bench.

The Coyotes are now 18-12 on the season and face Southwestern for the KCAC championship on Monday at Hartman Arena in Wichita. 

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