After winning a pair of thriller at Bethel College to open the week, the Kansas Wesleyan basketball teams will travel to Wichita tonight to square off with Friends
The first of these matchups will take place tonight at the Garvey Center, with the women's game set to begin at 5:00.
Women's Game: Kansas Wesleyan (10-9, 8-5), Friends (14-5, 11-2)
KWU and Friends are 3-3 in their last six games but the Coyotes won the previous six. The Falcons prevailed 84-61 on November 15 in Mabee Arena in the first game this season and leads the series 21-18 since February, 2006.
The Falcons entered the week having won five in a row. They defeated Oklahoma Wesleyan 78-50 last Wednesday in Bartlesville and downed Bethel 77-67 Saturday in Wichita. Friends was one game behind conference co-leaders Saint Mary and Tabor in the KCAC standings.
Rayland Garner scored 24 points and Taylor Jackson had 19 and 12 rebounds in the Falcons' victory over KWU on November 15 in Mabee Arena. The game was tied at 54 after three quarters before Friends pulled away the final 10 minutes.
Garner averages a team-best 17.6 points and grabs 7.3 rebounds per game. Jackson, the Falcons' post player, averages 13.8 points and 11.4 rebounds, which leads the KCAC and ranks sixth in the NAIA.
Men's Game: Kansas Wesleyan (14-5, 11-2), Friends (7-11, 4-9)
KWU has won four in a row and nine of the last 10 against Friends, including a 99-78 victory on November 15 this season. The Falcons last victory was in January, 2022 and they have a 23-18 advantage since January, 2006.
The Falcons won three in a row earlier this month but have lost their last two since then - at Oklahoma Wesleyan 92-61 last Wednesday and 62-43 to Bethel at home last Saturday - entering their game Wednesday at Evangel.
Drew Patterson scored 22 points, KJ Spiller 13 and the Falcons shot 51 percent in the loss to KWU in November. KWU led 44-39 at halftime before pulling away in the second half.
Friends averages 78 points and shoots 35.6 percent beyond the arc. Spiller averages 14.3 points, Patterson 9.5 and Al Emerllahu and Steele Chapman 8.7 each. Spiller also averages a team-best 5.4 rebounds. Opponents average 79 points and are shooting 45 percent.
Live Coverage
Both games can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM locally or online at 910kina.com). Tyler Henry and Brooks Garretson will have the call with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 PM.