The Lowdown: Friends University at No. 18 Oklahoma Wesleyan University (KCAC Quarterfinal)
Location: Bartlesville, Okla.
When: Thursday, Feb. 27 @ 7 pm
Broadcast and Live Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/kcac/
Flying with the Falcons: The short-handed Friends University Falcons hung tough most of the night before a late run propelled the current No. 25-ranked Southwestern College Moundbuilders to an 87-71 win in the regular season finale last Saturday night (Feb. 22) inside the Garvey Center. The loss dropped the Falcons to the sixth seed in the KCAC Tournament and into a matchup tonight at third-seeded and No. 18-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University. The Falcons enter the tourney at 17-12 overall and went 15-9 in the KCAC.
Devonte Pack and Jun Murdock (FR/Wichita, Kan. ) gave the Falcons everything they could ask for, with Pack scoring a game-high 31 points, just one shy of his career-high mark. He also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. Murdock wound up with 21 points for the Falcons.
James Conley (SR/Derby, Kan. ) is leading the Falcons this season in scoring (18.7 ppg), assists (2.9 apg) and steals (1.9 spg). Conley's point and steal totals both rank within the top five of the KCAC. Pack ranks second on the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) along with a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game. Murdock is scoring 12.2 ppg and is second on the Falcons with 2.4 assists.
The Falcons are 12th in the NAIA in turnover margin (3.759), while Braden Larcom (JR/Eureka, Kan. ) qualifies to lead the NAIA in assist/turnover ratio (9.0).
Scouting the Eagles: The No. 18-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles are the third seed in the KCAC Tournament and are 22-8 overall and finished 17-7 in the KCAC.
Brooks Haddock leads the Eagles with 16.8 ppg this season, followed by Kaleb Stokes with 11.0 ppg. Lance Tipton is scoring 10.9 ppg and leads the team in both rebounding (7.5 rpg) and assists (2.9 apg).
Nationally, the Eagles are tops in the NAIA in total rebound margin (13.5), third in field-goal percentage defense (.401), fifth in both total rebounds per game (43.3) and offensive rebounds per game (14.167) and 10th in three-point field-goal percentage defense (.317).
The Series: OKWU is 18-7 vs. the Falcons dating back to 2004, but Friends won both regular season meetings this year on game-winning scores from Jun Murdock. Murdock converted a late, go-ahead four-point play for a 72-71 win in Bartlesville before hitting the eventual game-winning layup during a 75-71 OT win in Wichita.
Quoting Head Coach Dale Faber:
"Playing Oklahoma Wesleyan on their home court is about as tough as it gets. We will need our best performance in the areas of poise, effort and attitude. Taking care of the basketball and rebounding will be the top priorities."
1,000 Point Club: Senior guard James Conley is just 22 points shy of reaching the 1,000 point career milestone in his second season with the Falcons.
All-Conference Trio: The Falcons placed three on the All-KCAC team, with James Conley earning first-team honors and Devonte Pack receiving third-team recognition. Jun Murdock was an honorable-mention selection while also being named the KCAC Freshman of the Year.
Turn it Over: The Falcons have done a remarkable job in setting the tone defensively, as they have forced more turnovers than they've committed in 22 of 29 games this season. They're 15-7 in those outings, but 1-4 in games the opposition wins the turnover battle. They've split the two occasions that turnovers are even.
80 is a Serious Number: The Falcons are 16-3 when holding the opposition under 80 points, but have lost nine of 10 times the opposing team reaches the 80-point mark.
Just Take Me Half the Way: When the Falcons have taken a lead into the locker room, they've posted a record of 16-5. But when trailing at the half, the Falcons have lost seven of eight.
Wheat State Insurance Group: We are proud to have Wheat State Insurance Group as a sponsor of Friends University Basketball this season! For more info on what they can offer, check them out at this link: http://www.wheatstateinsurance.com/
Falcons by the Numbers:
When scoring:
Under 50 points:
50-59 points: 0-0
60-69 points: 1-2
70-79 points: 9-7
80-89 points: 6-2
90+ points: 1-1
When allowing:
Under 50 points:
50-59 points: 2-0
60-69 points: 6-0
70-79 points: 8-3
80-89 points: 0-5
90+ points: 1-4
When leading at halftime: 16-5
When trailing at halftime: 1-7
When tied at halftime: 0-0
When winning the turnover battle: 15-7
When losing the turnover battle: 1-4
When turnovers are even: 1-1
In OT: 0-0
The Coaches:
Dale Faber enters his 17th season leading the Friends University men's basketball program.
He guided the Falcons last season to their first NAIA National Tournament berth since the 2014-15 season.
The 2018-19 edition of the Falcons finished third in the KCAC while crossing the 20-win plateau at 22-10 overall.
Faber was also instrumental in overseeing the development of the 2017-18 KCAC Player of the Year and two-time NAIA All-America performer, Jordan Murdock.
Overall, Faber is 291-233, with a 199-122 mark in KCAC play in his tenure at Friends. He has been named the KCAC Coach of the Year twice (2010, 2014), and has won four KCAC Tournament Championships and a pair of KCAC Regular Season Championships.
In the 2017-18 campaign, Faber guided the Falcons to a top five finish in the KCAC after hovering in the top two of the league for much of the season.
Faber's philosophy for building and maintaining a successful program is simple: find good student-athletes with strong values who are dedicated, hardworking, loyal and committed to representing Friends University in a positive light at all times. Known for his quick humor, Coach Faber strives to be supportive in all aspects of his player's lives. The philosophy of faith, family, academics and basketball has become a thought process that continues to fuel his teams.
"Entering our 17th year at Friends University, our goals remain consistent. We should never lose track of what a blessing it is to be able to grow our relationships within our team and the Friends University community. We will work hard to be a team that pursues success on the court but also strives to be well thought of because of our efforts academically and growing our participation in the NAIA Champions of Character Program.
Faber and his wife of 32 years, Stacey, live in Wichita.
Donnie Bostwick is in the third season of his second tenure as head coach of the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles. Last season, Bostwick led the program to the KCAC regular season championship and an NAIA tournament berth with a 30-4 overall record and a 22-2 league mark. In his first year back at the helm, Bostwick guided the Eagles to an NAIA national quarterfinal berth, a KCAC tournament championship and a 26-9 overall record.
Bostwick previously served four seasons as head coach at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, where he led SAGU to an NAIA Division I national championship game appearance in 2013. In his first run at OKWU, Bostwick guided the Eagles to an NAIA Division II national championship in 2009.
Up Next: With a win, the Falcons would advance to the KCAC semifinals and face the winner of second-seeded Southwestern College and seventh-seeded Bethel College Saturday (Feb. 29) at 7 pm at the home of the highest seed.
