We enter Week 2 of KCAC play tonight! A lot of great matchups both tonight and on Saturday, including a Top 25 showdown between Friends and OWKU tonight! Should be another really fun week in the KCAC!
KCAC Players of the Week
Avila | In the programs first ever Toilet Paper toss game, Avila took down Bethany, 99-82. Xavier Kahube went for 26pts, 4rebs, 3asst and Gio Mack went for 17pts, 9rebs, 6assts and 2stls in the Eagles win. (Recap)
Bethany | Lost to Avila, 82-98. Keddric Mays II scored 27 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, dished 5 assists and had 3 steals, but it wasn’t enough to push the Swedes to the win. (Recap)
On Monday, in a non-conference game, the Swedes took down Mission (MO) 105-93 in OT. Keddric Mayss II once again led the way for the Swedes with 28pts, 6rebs, 3assts, 4stls. Donovan Newton added in 23pts, 6rebs and 7assts. Milton Kpehe came off the bench for a 16pt, 10reb double-double. (Recap)
Bethel | KCAC Coaches Conversation with Bethel Head Coach, Jayson Artaz.
Knocked off #11 Saint Mary, 74-68. Carmelo Yakubu led the with 25pts, 13rebs, 3assts, 2stls and 2blks on his way to KCAC DPOW honors. Rustan Griffen chipped in 13pts and Dominick Harris added 12pts, 3rebs, 3assts and 6stls. (Recap)
Evangel | Got off to a sluggish start and couldn’t make the big comeback as they lost on the road to #18 Friends, 79-88. Sophomore, Jacob Lafferty led the Valor with 27pts to go with 8rebs. Garrett Davault had 17pts, 5rebs, 3assts in the loss.(Recap)
Friends | Got up big early and held on for a nice win against Evangel, 88-79. Cahlese Lee had 20pts, 3rebs, 2assts. Collin Maclin had 17pts, 10rebs, 5assts in the win. The Falcons also had three others who finished in double figures. (Recap)
Kansas Wesleyan | Went ice cold in the 2nd half, still forced OT, but lost at home to Ottawa, 86-92 in OT. Brandon Avedon led the way with 22pts and 10rebs. Wyatt Powell and Gabe Phillips scored 17 apiece. Caiden Punt ended with 15pts. (Recap)
McPherson | picked up a huge road KCAC win by knocking off RV Southwestern, 83-74. The Bulldogs were led by Korbin Gunn who dropped 27pts. Charles Snyder added in 20pts in the win. (Recap)
OKWU | Rolled to a 96-78 win over Tabor. Nick Bene scored 16pts and 4 rebs to lead four Eagles in double-figures. OKWU hit 17-3’s on the way to the 18pt win. (Recap)
Ottawa | Used a good 2nd half to knock off KWU, 92-86 in OT. The Braves got 28pts, 5rebs and 2stls from KCAC OPOW, Micah Willis. Rich Martelly added 24pts in the win. (Recap)
Saint Mary | Suffered their first loss of the season in a road loss to Bethel, 68-74. Jordan Brown led four Spires in double figures with 18pts, 7rebs and 5stls. (Recap)
Southwestern | Lost to McPherson, 74-83. Evan Barber led the Moundbuilders with 22pts. Wyatt Bell continued his big start to the season with 19pts. (Recap)
Sterling | Defeated York, 84-73 behind a big 1st half to move to 1-0 in KCAC play. The Warriors were led by Julian Smith and Damond Daniels with 21pts apiece. Daniels was a perfect 10-10 from the FT line in a big performance off the bench. (Recap)
Tabor | lost to #16 OKWU, 96-78. Had six guys in double-figures with Niieihii Blackbear scoring 12pts and 7rebs to lead the way. (Recap)
York | Lost to Sterling, 73-84. Devin Carroll led the way for the Panthers with 19pts. (Recap)
All Games can be seen on the Urban Edge Network
Wednesday, November 19th
| Away | Home | Time | Location | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Saint Mary |  York University | 7:00 P.M. | York, NE (Conf.) | Stats Video |
 Bethel College |  Southwestern College | 7:00 P.M. | Winfeld, Kan. (Conf.) | Stats Video |
 Evangel University |  Avila University | 7:30 P.M. | Kansas City, MO (Conf.) | Video |
 Oklahoma Wesleyan University |  Friends University | 8:00 P.M. | Garvey Center (Conf.) | Stats Video |
 Kansas Wesleyan University |  McPherson College | 8:00 P.M. | McPherson, Kan. (Conf.) | Video |
 Ottawa University |  Tabor College | 8:00 P.M. | Hillsboro, Kan. (Conf.) | Video |
 Sterling College |  Bethany College | 8:00 P.M. | Lindsborg, KS (Conf.) | Video |
Saturday, November 22nd
| Away | Home | Time | Location | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabor College | Evangel University | 2:00 P.M. | Springfield, Mo. (Conf.) | Video |
| Avila University | Sterling College | 3:00 P.M. | (Conf.) | Video |
| Southwestern College | University of Saint Mary | 3:00 P.M. | Leavenworth, KS (Conf.) | Video |
| Friends University | York University | 3:00 P.M. | York, Neb. (Conf.) | Stats Video |
| McPherson College | Ottawa University | 3:00 P.M. | Ottawa, Kan. (Conf.) | Video |
| Kansas Wesleyan University | Oklahoma Wesleyan University | 5:30 P.M. | Bartlesville, Okla. (Conf.) | Stats Video |
| Bethany College | Bethel College | 7:00 P.M. | North Newton, Kan. (Conf.) | Stats Video |
KCAC Featured Matchup of The Week
#13 Oklahoma Wesleyan
@
#18 Friends (KS)
Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles
Players to watch:
- Yashi McKenzie (G, 6’1”, Jr.) — one of the return guards who can handle the ball and create. High motor on both ends of the floor. 8.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.0apg
- Temaje Izuagbe (F, 6’6”, Fr..,) — motor, length, finishes at rim. 18.2ppg, 5rpg.
- Nick Bene (F, 6’5”, R-Jr.,) — has stepped into bigger role nicely this season. Can hurt you inside/out. 11ppg, 4rpg.
Friends University Falcons
Players to watch:
- Cahlese Lee (Sr., G, 6’3”) — veteran guard, threat from the perimeter. Leads Falcons in scoring at 16.6ppg.
- Randy Woolf Jr. (Sr., G, 6’4”) — length on the wing, playmaking ability. Missed the KCAC opener, but averages 13.5ppg, 3.5apg.
- Collin Maclin (Sr., G, 6’3”) — experienced starter, likely team leader. Averaging 14.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.6apg
- Ringo Deng (Sr., F, 6’7”) — size and interior presence. 10.8ppg, 6.2rpg.
Key Match-ups & Tactical Storylines
- Backcourt battle: McKenzie/Ethan Williams (OKWU) vs. Lee/Woolf/Maclin (Friends) — will the Eagles’ younger guards hold up against the Falcons’ seasoned backcourt?
- Tempo control: If Friends can push the pace and get transition buckets, they’ll have the edge. If OKWU pressure causes Friends to be uncomfortable and the Eagles get easy buckets, it will favor their style of play.
- Rebounding & second-chance points: A big key — whichever team wins the boards and limits second-chance opportunities will tilt the game.
- Turnover margin: Mistakes will be costly. Both teams can score, but extra possessions will make the difference.
What might decide it:
- If Friends hits early from three and can handle OKWU’s pressure it will put them in position to win.
- If OKWU dominates the glass, controls pace and defends the guards and continues to force turnovers they will put themselves in a position to win.
- Look for a few pivotal runs: either the Falcons going on a push with guards creating off drives, or the Eagles breaking it open inside/out as they hit shots.
- Both teams scheduled tough opponents to start the season. The youth of OKWU won’t be intimidated and Friends will be ready at home.
Other Top Games
Wednesday November 19th
RV Bethel (KS)
at RV Southwestern
Saturday, November 22nd –
RV Southwestern
at #11 Saint Mary
Avila (MO)
at Sterling
McPherson (Kan.)
at Ottawa (Kan.)
