lady yotes fall 69-54 at naia tourney 

Abby Fawcett scored seven of her game-high 25 points in an 18-0 first half run, as Friends University defeated The College of Idaho, 69-54, in the first-round of the State Farm-NAIA Division II National Championships in Sioux City, Iowa.

The win for the Falcons (24-8), from Wichita, Kan., was their first ever at the tournament, while the Lady Yotes (22-9) have their season ended in the opening round for a fourth-straight year.

The C of I jumped out to a quick 11-6 lead with 14:43 remaining in the half, but would not convert a field goal for a nine minute stretch, as Abril Marshall scored six points and Fawcett hit a transition three-pointer to give the Falcons a 24-11 lead.  The Yotes would close the gap to 32-24 late in the half, but another Fawcett triple, one of five in the game, gave Friends a 36-24 lead at the break.  An early 7-0 run by the Kansas school extended the margin to 46-29 in the second half – rolling to the win.

The Coyotes were their own worst enemy, hitting just 25-of-75 shots, including 1-of-18 from outside the arc – losing despite a 51-36 edge on the glass.

Felicity Jones had 11 points, with Laura Geis adding 10.  Katelin Shannon had nine points and 10 rebounds, with Tina Fakahafua recording a game-high 11 boards.

More to follow later today.