Slow Start Proves the Difference in Eagles Loss to Iowa Wesleyan

The Eagle men suffered their first defeat this season, losing to undefeated Iowa Wesleyan College 82-94. Faith could not ever completely recover from a slow start in the first four minutes of the game, falling to 4-1 on the year.

Wesleyan jumped out to a quick 12-2 lead to start the game as the Eagles missed some good looks early. Out of a timeout, Faith responded with an 11-2 run to pull within one at 14-13 with just over 13 minutes left in the first half. The half and the game then took on a familiar tone, with Wesleyan stringing together mini runs to go up by 6-10 points, and the Eagles responding to pull close again. However, Faith could never get over the hump in the first half as they trailed by 3 at 36-39 going into the break.

The second half stayed close for the first seven minutes, with the Eagles trailing by 5. Wesleyan pushed the lead to 12 with a quick 8-1 lead off of five turnovers in two minutes by the Eagles. Faith would pull back within four at the 8 minute mark, trailing 64-68, but a foul, a turnover, and a missed shot allowed Wesleyan to score on three straight possessions to go back up by 11. The visitors would then increase that lead to 16 with four minutes remaining and Faith would get no closer than the final 12 point margin on a three at the end of the game to suffer their first defeat 82-94.

Five men finished in double figures for the Eagles, with Aaron Leistkow leading the Eagles with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Cody Chaffin had a good game as well, adding 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Ryan Kupferschmid had 14 points, while John Acree and Josh Bray scored 11 and 10 respectively off the bench. The story of the game was turnovers and second chance opportunities, as Wesleyan outscored the Eagles by 22 points in those two categories.

Faith will play two exhibition games over the next week and a half before getting back into regional action. On Tuesday, November 25th, the Eagles will travel to NAIA (RV) Grand View University in Des Moines. That game will tip off at 7:30 PM. Faith will then be off for Thanksgiving break, but jump right back into the thick of things on Monday, December 1, when they will host NAIA #22 William Penn University. That game will tip at 7:00 PM.