December 9, 2024

Eagles Go 1-1 in the “Little Apple”

(Manhattan, KS) - Faith men's basketball split their weekend games to kick off MCCC play

Faith Baptist Bible College

6-3, 0-0

Barclay College

0-6, 0-0

Final

Faith Baptist Bible College 6-3, 0-0

Barclay College 0-6, 0-0

Faith Baptist Bible College

6-4, 1-1

Manhattan Christian College

5-7, 2-0

Final

Faith Baptist Bible College 6-4, 1-1

Manhattan Christian College 5-7, 2-0

The Eagles were coming off of Thanksgiving break with a back to back in Manhattan Kansas (aka the "little apple" of the midwest). On Friday afternoon the Eagles took on the Barclay College Bears who were coming off a tough stretch of games against numerous NAIA and quality NCCAA schools.

The Bears swung the 1st punch of the game as they jumped out to an early 12-4 lead. The Eagles woke up and responded with a large run of their own as they led by as much as 13 points. Faith went into halftime leading 42-33.

The Eagles had chances to put the Bears away but Barclay would not quit. They chipped away at the Eagles lead and cut it to 1 with 1:30 left in the game. The Eagles maturely responded by taking care of the ball and getting necessary defensive stops. Faith guard Connor Parish hit some crucial free throws down the stretch to help seal the win 77-70.

Mason Gorsh led the team with 19 points and Josh Baucum chipped in with 16 points. James Busenitz also added 12 rebounds. With this win the Eagles improved to 6-3 on the season (1-0 in MCCC play).

The Eagles had to turn around the next day and face the Thunder from Manhattan Christian College.

The 1st half started out in the Thunders favor as they slowly built a 21-9 lead. A technical foul on Thunder Forward Davis Rokey shifted the momentum back to the Eagles as they went onto a 9-0 run, shrinking the lead to 3 with 8 minutes to play in the half. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the run was short lived as the Thunder responded with a run of their own pushing their lead back to double digits. Manhattan went into halftime leading 45-30.

The 2nd half was much like the 1st. The late run in the 1st half by the Thunder was too much for the Eagles to overcome. Faith hung around for a while but the Thunder continued to push their lead and ended up winning 90-69.

Seniors Andy Hecker and James Busenitz led the Eagles in scoring with 14 points and 10 points. This loss drops the Eagles to 6-4 on the season (1-1 in MCCC play).

The Eagles have one game left before Christmas break as they head to Dubuque for a neutral site contest against the Cougars from Kuyper College on Friday at 4pm CST.