Eagles Open Season at Faith Classic

The Lady Eagles began the regular season at home Friday night in the annual Faith Classic tournament, facing Top 10 ranked and North Region opponent Maranatha Baptist University (Watertown, WI). The Eagles fought hard throughout the game but fell to the Sabercats 26-53. Faith started the game slowly, struggling to get their offense going and falling behind 6-22 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Lady Eagles were able to create some offense, shooting 6-10 from the field and outscoring Maranatha 15-10; however, Maranatha would take a 32-21 lead into halftime.

The Lady Eagles' difficulties on the offensive end continued in the second half, scoring only five points total the entire second half.  Maranatha was scrappy on defense, which forced the Lady Eagles to turn the ball over 42 times. Alyssa Larson secured a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Shannon Steffen contributed 5 points and 5 rebounds.

Saturday afternoon, Faith took on Association Free Lutheran Bible School (Plymouth, MN) in their second game of the Faith Classic. Faith came out with much more intensity and worked hard the entire game to improve on the many areas that hurt them in the previous game. Rebounding, the glaring problem in the game the night before, was much better, as Faith outrebounded AFLBS 47-37. Faith did a better job executing their offense on Saturday but struggled to slow down the hot shooting of AFLBS. At the half, Faith trailed AFLBS 25-35.

In the second half, AFLBS was able to hold off any runs the Lady Eagles put together by answering with runs of their own. AFLBS stretched their lead to 20 in the third quarter, despite the Lady Eagles playing much better overall. AFLBS would go on to win the game 65-49, handing the Lady Eagles their second loss of the season. Alyssa Larson led the way for Faith with 22 points and 18 rebounds for her second double-double of the year. Shannon Steffen scored 10 points, grabbed 6 boards, and dished out 4 assists. Freshman Apphia Rofe added 8 points and 4 assists.

Faith will head out on the road to Dubuque, IA on Tuesday, November 29^th to take on defending Midwest Christian College Conference champions Emmaus Bible College.