[Women's Basketball] Falcons Advance in KCAC Tournament with 72-45 Win at Ottawa

OTTAWA, Kan. -- The Friends University Falcons shot 52.5 percent from the field to knock off the Ottawa University Braves 72-45 Tuesday night in Ottawa, Kan.

Bridget Busbee (SO/Grand Prairie, Texas) scored a career-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting to help lead the Falcons. 

The Falcons led by as many as six points in the opening quarter, but the Braves fought back to take a 14-13 advantage with 8:43 left in the half. 

From there, the Falcons turned up the pressure defensively as they held Ottawa to just nine second-quarter points. 

The Falcons took control, using a 17-2 run to take a 32-18 lead into the locker room.

The Braves cut the lead to ten points three times early in the third quarter, but the Falcons closed the period on a 13-1 spurt. The Falcons would cruise to the finish line. 

Khadijah Miller (SR/Arlington, Texas) matched Busbee's 19 points and added four rebounds. Gracie Sammons (SO/Aubrey, Texas) tallied 14 points and five rebounds.

Maddie Jessepe (SR/Ada, Okla. ) blocked a season-high-tying four shots, and Kayna Simoneau (JR/Rose Hill, Kan.) dished out a game-high six assists.

The Falcons held Ottawa to 27.1 percent (16-for-59) shooting from the field and 17.6 percent (3-for-17) from the perimeter.

Liz Vaughn paced the Braves with 17 points and ten rebounds.

With the win, the Falcons secured a date with top-seeded Sterling College on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.