The Friends University men’s basketball team faced its first conference competitor Nov. 29 on the road. In the first half until a few minutes were left on the clock, Friends was within a bucket or two against Southwestern, head coach Dale Faber said. But then the Falcons let them get ahead by double digits as of halftime.

Friends couldn’t get close enough to grab the lead in the second half and the clock hit zeros with a final score of 54-89, in favor of the Moundbuilders on their own floor. Faber said Southwestern is a very good team, but there was a total breakdown in all fundamental areas for the Falcons.

The Falcons struggled in the first half against its second conference rival of the season, Bethel College, Dec. 1 on the road. But after being down 24-33, the Falcons came out as a whole different team in the second half and “started doing what they were supposed to be doing,” Faber said. The Falcons held Bethel to only 10 points in the second half. Instead of jump shots, Friends was able to get the ball closer to the basket for the score. And that scoring was a little more balanced among the players, which led to a better result, Faber said.

Faber said the team needs to defend and rebound to the best of its ability, and the effort has to remain constant on those two areas, he said.

Overall, Faber hopes to see his team make better decisions with the basketball, he said.

“I think we are very capable of that,” Faber said.

But the team also needs to eliminate their mistakes, he said.

On a positive note, the team is showing improvement in the areas asked of them.

The Falcons will face Sterling College in their first home conference game of the season tonight at 7 p.m.

Faber hopes the team will play as well as the crowd supports it, he said.

The Falcons will play Tabor College on the road Dec. 8 and will match up for their final home game before Christmas break versus Bacone College Dec. 14, also at 7 p.m.