As the Falcons began the second half of their 2007-2008 season, a few challenges came their way. They have faced adversity during the past few games, but plan to finish the season strong.

“We need to get back to the way we were playing at the beginning of the season and execute down the stretch,” coach Gayla Soyez said.

In the Falcons’ first two games after Christmas break, they beat York College 59-57, and Bethany 55-54. The Falcons hit a rough patch in their next seven games only winning two, but came up big against Southwestern at home, winning 62-57.

On Monday night, Feb. 4, the Falcons squared up against Bethel at home in a rematch from earlier in the season where the Falcons won 76-51. The game was deadlocked at the end of regulation when Ta’Vionna Davis scored a layup to send the game into overtime. The Falcons missed a few important shots and had to send the Threshers to the foul line where they handed Friends an 80-77 loss.

“We have to get stops and we can’t let other teams get to the foul line," Soyez said. "That has been our Achilles heel throughout the season.”

The Falcons are looking to explode into the post season by winning their next few games, and junior guard Megan VinZant is confident that the team will find its groove.

“We started off the season with great heart, intensity and a love for the game," VinZant said. "We have had a lot of adversity hit us and have struggled handling it. We have to start having fun again and not play for the outcome but for each possession. This team has struggled finding an identity, but we’re starting to come around.”

Falcon guards Liz Barton, Kristina Jones and VinZant have showed determination and leadership all season, and post player Michelle Price was a go-to weapon in the Bethany game.

“We are more of a balanced team in a sense that any one of our six to seven core players can step up and make big plays,” Soyez said.

The Falcons are tied for seventh in the conference with a record of 4-8. They play Tabor College at 6 p.m. tonight at home.