Crider’s Big Weekend Helps Eagles Sweep AFLBS

ANKENY, Iowa—Faith Eagles sophomore Michaela Crider is officially "in the zone." On Friday evening, Crider scored a career-best 23 points on 11 of 20 shooting and added a team-high 13 rebounds in a 64-43 victory over the AFLBS (Association Free Lutheran Bible School) Conquerors. She nearly matched those totals on Saturday, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a nearly identical victory for Faith, 63-43.

On Friday, the Eagles jumped to a 32-19 halftime lead, setting the tone for the successful weekend. Crider scored 14 of her 23 points in the first half, giving Faith a much-needed scoring boost inside the three-point arc. Faith stretched the lead to as many as 22 points in the second half, thanks to some hot outside shooting by Lyndi Shepard, who made four of her six three-pointers in the second half. Shepard finished with 18 points. Alicia Smith and Bekah Smith both nearly had double-doubles as well. Alicia nearly had a triple-double with 10 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds. Bekah Smith finished with 8 points and 10 rebounds.

On Saturday, AFLBS kept things close for three quarters, trailing just 29-25 at intermission, and 41-36 after the third. The fourth quarter is when Crider capped a brilliant weekend, scoring 12 points in the frame, nearly single-handily securing the win for the Eagles as they ran away with a twenty point victory. All five starters scored in double figures for Faith.  

With the two-game sweep of the AFLBS Conquerors over the weekend, the Faith Eagles women's basketball team won its third straight game and sixth of its last seven. The Eagles stand at 7-7 as they enter the stretch run of the regular season.

The Eagles are back in action Monday evening as they travel to Kansas Christian for a 4:00 p.m. tip.