Freshmen Trio Leads Eagles to Home Opening Win

The Eagle men opened their season up last night with a win over visiting Union College. The win snapped a two year home losing streak to Union, dating back to 2010. Faith won by a final of 74-55, and is 1-0 on the year.

The Eagles jumped out to an early 10-0 lead and would never trail in the game. Union responded with their own 13-5 lead to pull within two with eleven minutes left in the half. The game would stay close for the next four minutes before Faith put together a 7-1 run to lead by double digits. Union would cut it to eight at the half. The Eagles didn't shoot the ball particularly well in the first half, only able to knock down 40% of their shots, but their defense remained strong, holding Union to 33% from the floor. Faith pushed the lead back to double digits early in the second half, leading by eleven five minutes in. Fueled by freshman Cody Chaffin and Jon Luke Talton, the Eagles scored eleven to Union's two points over the next two minutes to put the game out of reach, with the Eagles up 20. Faith pushed their lead to as much as 27 over the final 13 minutes as everyone dressed saw action.

The Eagles were led by freshmen Chaffin, Talton, and Aaron Leistikow. Chaffin recorded 26 points including four of eight from behind the arc. Leistikow had a monster game, recording his first collegiate double double with 16 points and 16 rebounds. He also grabbed five steals to lead the Eagles. Talton sadded 18 points and four assists. Junior point guard Jordan Marshall led the Eagles in assists with five.

The Eagles face a very strong two weeks of play now, as they will head down to Kansas to take on perennial conference powerhouse Manhattan Christian College on Friday, followed by a trip to Haviland, KS, on Saturday to face last year's runner up Barclay College. Next week the Eagles travel to Oskaloosa, IA, to take on last year's national NAIA II tournament runner up William Penn University. The Eagles will then host their annual Faith Classic tournament. Friday night of the tournament, the Eagles will take on NCAA III Maranatha Baptist Bible College. On Saturday, the Eagles will face NCAA III Iowa Wesleyan College. Friday's game tips at 8 PM, and Saturday's tips at 6 PM.