Laib’s 16 Points Fuel Eagles Win

By Jon Crossman

ANKENY, Iowa – The Faith women's basketball team found their winning stride immediately this season, coming straight out of the gate with a 23-point victory over Union College on Tuesday night. Makenna Laib took her role as the starting point guard to the bank, putting up 16 points and 6 steals in her third year playing for the Eagles.

Faith kept a tight defense under the basketball fundamentals of Coach Monty Kaufman, holding the Union offense below double-digit scoring in all but the fourth quarter. Shooting was shaky for the first half (26%) until the ladies shook off the rust, shooting 46.7% after the intermission. Laib bagged half of her points in the third quarter, scoring six in the first two minutes.

Faith stayed on top for the entirety of the competition, giving Union zero room for any heroics late in the game. The veteran squad is already showing improvement, giving up 10 fewer turnovers compared to their first match of the 2020-2021 season. Rachel Kleczka put up 12 points and 11 rebounds in her third year with the Eagles as well, pulling in her first of what is sure to be many double-doubles for the year. Newcomers to the team like Emma Owens (2 points, 6 rebounds) and Halle Pearson (2 points, 2 steals, 3 rebounds) are already paying their dues for time on the floor on a relatively young team.

With their first win, the ladies will have the rest of the week to practice and rest up. Their next game is against Grace Christian University on Saturday, December 4, at 10:00 a.m. at Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa.