Fifth-rated women win 70-42, men fall 53-50
The fifth-rated Tabor College women punched their ticket to the national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa with a 70-42 win over the Friends Falcons in Hillsboro Thursday night, clinching at least a tie for the KCAC championship and earning the conference's automatic bid as conference champion.
The game was never in doubt as Tabor scored the game's first six points on the way to a 39-13 halftime lead.
Things didn't get any easier for the visitors in the second half as the Bluejay lead swelled to as many as 37 points, 58-21 with 10:05 to play.
Tabor was led offensively by Emily Vogts with 16 points, Donya Anderson added 14 points and nine rebounds and rica Hemmert added 13 as Tabor steamrolled to its 19th straight win.
Jenna Kokojan led the Falcons with 11.
The Bluejays connected on 27 of 52 field goal attempts (52 percent) and converted 14 of 16 free throws (88 percent) while Friends learned what Tabor's defense was all about, hitting just 13 of 52 field goal attempts (25 percent).
The Bluejays forced 23 Falcons turnovers led by Hemmert who recorded four steals as Tabor improves to 15-0 in the KCAC and 22-3 overall.
Friends falls to 10-15 overall and 5-10 in the KCAC.
The Tabor men looked to break a modest three game losing streak but 32 percent field goal accuracy didn't allow that as the Bluejays lost to Friends 53-50.
Tabor had more free throws, more 3-point baskets, more rebounds and more points off the bench but Friends hit 46 percent from the field (22 of 48) to capture the win.
The Falcons led 29-22 at halftime.
Tabor was led by Grant Brubacher and Brad Gattis with 10 points each while Gattis added 18 rebounds.
With the loss, Tabor falls to 11-13 overall and 8-7 in the KCAC while the Falcons improve to 12-13 and 8-7.
The Bluejays travel to Salina Saturday to face the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes with the women's game scheduled to tip off at 5:00.
