Faith Goes 0-2 on Roadtrip

After a week off from game action, the Lady Eagles made their way south to Kansas for weekend games against Barclay College and Manhattan Christian College. Faith was handed a disappointing loss Friday night against Barclay, but would then have to go on to play the top team in the MCCC conference in Manhattan. Although that game stayed close the first half, the Thunder stepped it up in the second half to hand the Eagles their second loss for the weekend.

Faith came out strong against the Barclay Bears on Friday night. Despite three players each picking up two fouls in the first ten minutes, the Eagles still led at the end of the first quarter 14-6. Foul trouble continued to be a factor in the second quarter, as two players picked up their third personal fouls. Missed shots and turnovers also contributed to what would be a big second quarter for the Bears, and at the end of the half the score was knotted at 26-26. The game was back-and-forth in the third quarter. Both teams exchanged possession of the lead before Faith ended the quarter with just a one point advantage, 43-42. An early 9-2 run by the Bears at the beginning of the fourth gave them all the momentum they needed to take the win 66-60. Lyndi Shepard led Faith with 30 points, off 7-13 shooting from behind the arc. Mackenzie Hanson provided another double-double off the bench with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lady Eagles knew they had their work cut out for them on Saturday when they would face off with the Thunder of Manhattan Christian College. Faith was down 17-11 after the first ten minutes, but a big second quarter by the Eagles gave them the lead, 31-27, going into halftime. Manhattan came out and responded, limiting the Eagles to just 6 points in the third quarter and taking a nine point lead into the final ten minutes of play. The Thunder built on their lead in the fourth and went on to win 64-46 over Faith to stay at the top spot in the MCCC conference. Mackenzie Hanson gave Faith 14 points, while Shannon Steffen and Bekah Smith each chipped in 10.  

Faith's next opponent won't be any easier, as they travel to Dubuque, IA on Tuesday, February 6 for a re-match with Emmaus Bible College.