Eagles Suffer First Loss of the Season

ANKENY, Iowa--Less than 24 hours after a big road win at Maranatha to improve to 3-0, the Eagles had a slight letdown on Saturday, losing to a hot-shooting Oak Hills Christian team, 87-71.

Faith has thrived in close games dating back to last season, and found themselves in another on on Saturday. The first half was a back-and-forth marathon, featuring FIFTEEN lead changes and six ties. A Kalab Sidlinger three-point basket gave the Eagles a ten-point lead (their largest of the game) with 6:21 to play in the first half, but Oak Hills battled back to take a one-point lead into the locker room, thanks mostly to seven three point baskets in 12 tries.

The Eagles held a 68-66 lead with 7:36 to play in the game, but Oak Hills used a 21-2 spurt to bury Faith over the next five minutes, effectively ending Faith's winning streak at three. Faith shot poorly from three-point distance, connecting on just five of 26 attempts (19.2%). Oak Hills also took advantage of 16 Faith turnovers, turning those into 28 points on fast breaks.

Two players finished with double-doubles for Faith. Jared Pearson scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Noah Boyer scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Faith is back in action on Monday, December 7, at 6 p.m. at Central Christian College of the Bible.