[Women's Basketball] Women's Basketball Falcons hang on for thrilling upset at Bethany in KCAC ...

Lindsborg, Kan. – The Friends University Women's Basketball Falcons led most of the way, but had to survive a furious rally by the Bethany College Swedes before hanging on for a 54-49 victory tonight (Feb. 23) in Lindsborg, Kan. to advance to the KCAC tournament semifinal round for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

The seventh-seeded Falcons will now play at sixth-seeded Ottawa University, who upset the third-seeded Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes 74-70 tonight in Salina, Kan.

Leading by as many as 20, the Falcons had to withstand a 16-0 Swede surge that gave Bethany its first lead since early in the second quarter.

But on perhaps the biggest possession of the night, Taylor Jackson scored inside to put the Falcons back on top.

Following a crucial defensive stop, it was then McKenzie Shippy putting in a huge bucket to stretch the lead back to three.

The Falcons then forced another miss and Bridget Busbee stepped up and closed out the victory with a pair of clutch free throws.

"What a great team effort," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "Actually it was great team focus all week in preparation. I thought we were as focused and determined as we have been all season. It was a great start and we hung on even though we got a little tired down the stretch. I also have to give a shout out to members of our men's team who were part of our scout team this week and did a great job getting us prepared!"

The season's two leading scorers were active early for the Falcons, with Jackson scoring a pair of buckets inside and Shippy connecting on a pair of threes for an early 10-5 advantage.

The Falcons carried a two-point lead of 14-12 into the second quarter, but Autumn Garrett quickly hit a three on the Swedes' first possession to put Bethany back in front.

Still trailing by one, Gracie Sammons spun in the lane and scored to start a run of eight straight points to put the Falcons ahead 23-16.

Following the early three by Garrett, the Falcons clamped down and limited the Swedes to just one field goal over the final 9:47 of the period.

The defensive performance fueled an 11-3 run to close out the half and give the Falcons a seven-point edge again of 26-19 at the break.

The defensive formula continued into the third quarter, as Garrett again scored early on Bethany's opening possession, but the Swedes didn't score again until the 3:53 mark. 

Offensively, the Falcons turned defense into offense as a steal and breakaway layup by Bridget Busbee was followed by consecutive treys from Sammons and Shippy to cap a 12-0 burst and give Friends its largest lead to that point of 38-21.

The Falcons continued to create significant separation and took a 20-point lead on a three by Busbee at the 2:31 mark of the third.

After the Swedes scored six of the final eight points of the third and then first four of the fourth to stretch the run to 10-2, a bucket inside by Jailen Johnson halted the spurt.

Shippy finished with a game-high 19 points for the Falcons (16-13), followed by 13 from Busbee. Jackson played crucial interior defense with a game-high 11 rebounds and four blocks. Sammons sparked the Falcon defensive effort from the perimeter and recorded four steals, while Shippy, Busbee and Sadie Hopman each had two thefts.

Garrett paced the Swedes (20-8) with 14 points and Emily Green had 10 boards.

The Falcons were outrebounded 38-29 overall and 18-5 on the offensive glass, but stifled the Swedes into just a 27.9 percent clip from the field, including only 15.8 percent (3-of-19) from three-point distance.

The loss is just the second at home this season for the Swedes, who had won 10 of the previous 11 games in Lindsborg.

Looking ahead to Saturday's matchup, the Falcons and Braves split the season series, with each squad winning on their home floor.

Tip-off Saturday night (Feb. 25) is set for 7 pm in Ottawa, Kan.