Men Fight Back, Earn Road Win

In a game that saw 11 ties and 22 lead changes, the Eagle men were able to make the last run to earn an 85-84 road win over Association Free Lutheran Bible School (AFLBS). Faith's record now stands at 3-3 on the year with the win.

Faith knew going into the game that AFLBS would be a tough opponent. AFLBS had played #5 Grace Bible (MI) to within 9 earlier this year. The game went back and forth from start to finish, with neither team seeming to be able to take control. Faith was able to build a slim six point margin with nine minutes to play in the first half, but proceeded to watch ALFBS put together a 10-2 run to take a two point lead just three minutes later. AFLBS built the lead to six with three minutes to play but Faith finished the half with a mini run to pull within two, 39-41 at the break. Foul trouble was and issue for the Eagles throughout the game, with all five starters picking up two fouls and having to sit for much of the first half. The Eagles received good minutes from their bench and some timely defense led by Joey Young to spark the run that pulled them within two.

The two teams played even over the first 10 minutes of the second half, with Faith clinging to a one point lead with 10 to go in the game. However, the Eagles would then go cold on offense and AFLBS would take advantage, going on a 13-3 run to take an eight point lead. Faith called a timeout to draw up a play which resulted in Cody Chaffin knocking down a three to get Faith right back in the game. Faith would slowly whittle away at the AFLBS lead, eventually grabbing a slim one point margin. Faith was able to then get a defensive stop and earn a baseline inbounds opportunity on the offensive end. The Eagles executed the play to push their lead to three with 22 seconds left. AFLBS called a timeout, then missed from outside but grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back in to pull back within one with 18 seconds remaining. AFLBS called timeout to set up their press, and Faith misfired on the inbounds with AFLBS stealing the ball and calling timeout. The Eagles didn't lose their poise, though, as they earned their own steal on AFLBS' ensuing inbounds. Faith scored off the steal to go back up three with 12 seconds left. AFLBS quickly ran the ball back the other way but couldn't draw iron on their quick three point shot and the ball went out of bounds to Faith. This time the Eagles executed their press break better resulting in AFLBS fouling Aaron Leistikow with seconds to play. Leistikow sunk one of two to give Faith a four point lead. AFLBS banked in a three at the buzzer but it was too little too late as Faith won 85-84.

The two teams combined to be called for 51 fouls and shot a combined 81 free throws in the game. Faith struggled from the line, shooting only 50% to go 22/44, but outrebounded the host 48-31, including 18 offensive rebounds. Faith also overcame sloppy ball handling as they turned the ball over 23 times. "You look at the boxscore after a game like this and wonder how you pulled out a win. You don't win many games when you turn it over 23 times and miss 22 free throws, but defensively the effort was there from start to finish and from top to bottom," noted coach Fincham.

Faith held AFLBS to just 37% from the floor and 21% from behind the arc, while the Eagles were abdl to shoot 48% from the floor and 33% from behind the arc.

Four Eagles finished in double digits. Cody Chaffin ended the game with 20 points, his last three also putting him over the 1,000 career point mark. John Acree had a monster game for the Eagles, scoring 19 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, including seven offensive. Aaron Leistikow also added a double double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jon Luke Talton finished with 14 points, four assists, and three steals. 

Faith will travel to Cedar Rapids, IA, on Monday for an exhibition contest with Mt. Mercy University. They will then head to Minneapolis, MN this weekend for neutral court contests with regional opponents Providence University College and Trinity Bible College.