Eagles Split Consolation Games

After a last second loss Thursday night sent the Eagle men to the consolation side of the 2013 MCC Conference Tournament, the Eagle men finished out with a 1-1 record, defeating St. Louis Christian College on Friday morning and losing Saturday morning to Calvary Bible College. Faith finished the regular season in 5th place in the conference, while finishing 6th at the conference tournament. The Eagles are now 11-16 overall.

Friday's game saw a much more inspired Eagles team communicate very well defensively while executing early offensively. Faith jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back, leading 29-11 at the end of a first half in which all 12 men saw action. Faith went on to win 63-38. In the win, Faith outscored St. Louis 24-2 in points off of turnovers, and 14-2 on second chance points, while scoring six more points than St. Louis from the free throw line. 

Saturday was a complete role reversal from Friday for the Eagles. Calvary came out inspired and intent on sticking to their game plan, while the effects of four games in five days showed it's tole on the Eagles both in effort and decision making. Faith struggled to take care of the ball offensively, while defensively simply getting outworked to loose balls. Despite the miserable start, the Eagles only trailed by two at the break. In the second half both teams shot similarly, but an aggressive offensive attack from Calvary proved the difference in the game, as they shot 14 freethrows to the Eagles three. Foul trouble and poor decision making plagued the Eagles midway through the half and Calvary took advantage by pushing the lead to double digits. Faith couldn't make a dent in the lead and fell 64-47. Faith turned the ball over 31 times in the loss and Calvary outscored Faith 24-7 in points off of turnovers. Calvary also managed 19 second chance points to the Eagles two, and shot 21 free throws to the Eagles nine. All but one of Calvary's second half baskets was at the rim.

Faith will be off until Friday, February 22, when they will play 2nd seeded Trinity Bible College in the first round of the NCCAA North Central regional tournament. That game will tip at 4 PM and will be hosted by North Central University in Minneapolis, MN.