Shepard Rallies Eagles in Near Comeback at Kansas Christian

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas—Lyndi Shepard returned to the Faith Eagles women's basketball lineup after missing the first five games (due to the women's soccer postseason), and led Faith with 17 points, but it wasn't enough as the Eagles fell to Kansas Christian, 59-46.

Shepard made five three-point baskets, giving the Eagles some much-needed perimeter scoring, as part of her 17-point effort. Michaela Crider was the only other double-figure scorer for Faith with 12 points. Rachel Kleczka continued her fine freshman campaign with eight points and 17 rebounds.

Faith kept things close in the first quarter, grabbing their first lead of the game with 1:52 remaining after a steal and jump shot by Shepard. The Falcons regained the lead and held it through the first several minutes of the second quarter before three consecutive points by Makenna Laib gave the Eagles a two-point lead with 5:28 to go in the half. It was the last lead the Eagles would hold in the game as Kansas Christian closed the half on an 8-0 run.

The Falcons built their lead to as many as 17 points in the third and fourth quarters before Faith made a spirited rally to cut the lead to six with 4:26 to play. Three of Shepard's five three-pointers came during that stretch before Kansas Christian pulled away for the 13-point win.

Faith will look for its first win of the season on Friday, December 13, with a home game against Holy Family College at 5:30 p.m. in Ankeny.