Megan VinZant hit two three-point shots within a minute off transition plays. But despite her offensive effort, the Ottawa University Braves defeated the Falcons 60-41 in a game against the Braves at Ottawa on Saturday, Dec. 2. 

Head Coach Gayla Soyez complimented VinZant, a sophomore point guard who shot 75 percent from three-point range.

“Megan’s really playing well,” Soyez said, but added that the team needs to do a better job setting her up for quality shots.

A total of 33 turnovers by the Friends University Falcons contributed in part to the loss at Ottawa. The women are now 3-7 overall and 0-1 in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The Falcons stayed in the first half of the game due to their tenacity.

“The first half, the reason we were in the game was just because we stuck with it,” VinZant said.

Soyez agreed.

“We hung in there for the turnovers we created,” she said.

At the half, Friends was down by seven, 22-29.

The opening of the second half did not bode well for the Falcons as the Braves began to put defensive pressure on them. Scores off two steals in the opening minutes of the second half increased Ottawa’s lead from seven points to 12. 

Jade Pihl, a Falcon freshman guard, said the Braves’ effort on defense created difficulties for her team.

“During the second half, their press flustered us,” she said.

Soyez was aware of Ottawa’s ability to pressure the offense.

“I think they’re the best team in our conference that can put full court pressure,” she said.

Friends also was able to pressure the Braves, forcing them to turn the ball over 23 times.

Soyez said the Falcons were able to stick with Ottawa on rebounding, but the Braves’ 60 field goal attempts to the Falcons’ 45 enabled the Braves to hit more on the offensive end.

Overall, the women shot 28 percent from the field goal range and 26 percent for three-pointers.

Both Pihl and VinZant noted the performance of their teammate Chelsey Williams, a sophomore forward.

Pihl said Williams rebounded well, executed on defense and was “even putting the ball in the hole for us.”

Despite the loss, the game against Ottawa, which is ranked No. 21 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and starts five seniors, shows Friends is gradually improving, according to Soyez.

“I think it’s was a step forward from where we’ve been,” she said. 

VinZant is also hopeful about the remainder of the season.

“I think we learned a lot from that game,” she said, “and hopefully, we can use it to finish out the first half of the season strong.”

The women will play Southwestern College tonight at 6 in Winfield and will compete against Kansas Wesleyan at home on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m. 

“They’re definitely both winnable games,” Soyez said.