Indians Dominate Falcons
The St. Francis Indians coasted to a 74-30 win over the visiting Christian Family Educators (CFE) Falcons on Tuesday, January 30. The game was marred by many turnovers, mostly by the Falcons, and many missed shots from close range by both teams. Two usual St. Francis starters, senior Tate Busse and junior K.C. Krien did not play in the game due to recent illness or injury. Even so, the Indians earned a lopsided win over the Falcons 74-30. Every Indian playing in the contest (10) scored.
Jake Faulkender opened the contest with a steal-two basket. Brady Dinkel followed with a driving score giving St. Francis a 4-0 lead. CFE's junior Thaddeus Friess placed the Falcons on the scoreboard with a shot in the lane. With the addition of a baseline shot and coast-to-coast drive (plus one) by Wyatt Hackler, the Indians led 9-2 at the 4-minute mark. A nice pass from Brady Dinkel set up a fast-break basket by Faulkender. Dalton Straub added a basket in the lane extending the margin to 13-2. Friess added his second bucket of the game, but Richard Johnson answered for the Indians. A steal-two by Friess made the score 15-6 at the first quarter break.
The Indians would add 22 more to their side of the scoreboard in the second period. The Falcons would only score 4; a basket by Reid Shay and one by Garrett Crow. With everyone seeing playing time for the Indians, St. Francis received one or more baskets from Adam Krien, Brady Dinkel, Dalton Straub, Draven Houtman, and Colton Neitzel during the period. St. Francis led 37-10 at halftime.
The Falcons offensive output increased to 9 points in the third period, but Indians scored the first 18 points of the period increasing the margin to 55-10 mid-way through the quarter. With various combinations of Indians playing together and substitute players seeing most of the playing time, the execution was not as sharp as desired. Several second half turnovers by the Indians led to Falcon points. St. Francis led 62-19 at the third quarter break. Dalton Straub scored 10 points in the period.
With the large point-spread, a running clock was utilized in the final period. CFE out-scored the Indians in the final period 12-13, as the Indians coasted to a 74-30 win.
Ten players scored for the Indians. Dalton Straub led the Indians with 14 points. Brady Dinkel added 13. Others scoring for St. Francis included Wyatt Hacker 9, Adam Krien 8, Jesse Baxter 8, Jake Faulkender 6, Colton Neitzel 6, Draven Houtman 4, Richard Johnson 4, and Connor Keller 2. The Indians made 3 of 7 from the line, made only one trey (Dinkel to close the third period), committed 12 turnovers, and were whistled for 6 fouls.
CFE was led by Thaddeus Friess with 16 points. Fallon Sowers added 7. The Falcons made 0 of 2 from the stripe and committed 5 fouls.
The Indians will play KBCA #2-ranked and undefeated Hoxie on Friday evening, February 2, in St. Francis.
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