KWU Athletics
WICHITA – Ryan Showman needed just five words to sum up his Kansas Wesleyan basketball team's performance against Friends:
"We just refused to lose," he said on his postgame radio show following the Coyotes' 76-66 victory over Friends in the quarterfinals of the Kansas Conference Tournament Wednesday night inside the Garvey Center.
The victory sends fifth-seeded KWU (21-10) into the semifinals and a game against top-seeded and No. 8-ranked Sterling (29-2) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Sterling. The Coyotes handed the Warriors one of their two losses, 85-82 in overtime December 2 in Mabee Arena.
Wesleyan lost both regular season games to Friends but got the one that counted most.
Coyote players vowed they would be better offensively after a 59-54 loss to Friends last Saturday in Wichita. They shot 34 percent and had opportunities to take the lead late in the game but three shots wouldn't fall.
They were better and Wednesday was a different story. Leading 37-35 early in the third quarter the Coyotes took control with an 18-5 run that gave them a 55-40 lead with four minutes left in the quarter.
They led 59-51 entering the fourth quarter and were up 68-56 following a Caila Hill (JR/Rossville, Kan.) basket with 5:50 remaining. Friends made it interesting, though, going on a 10-2 run and trailed 70-66 following LaShawn Sweet's 3-pointer with 1:51 left.
Enter the "just refused to lose" part.
The Coyotes went 6 of 8 from the free throw line the final 1:35 while Friends missed three shots and had a crucial turnover in a direct reversal of Saturday's final moments.
"Ever since we left this building on Saturday there's been a locked-in focus, there's been an air about them," Showman said of his team. "They were absolutely incredible, they know what they want, they know what they want out of the season yet.
"Every run or every shot they made we had an answer. I'm so proud of Kelcey Hinz (SR/Whitewater, Kan.), she was amazing tonight (15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists). Defensive Player of the Year (in the KCAC), she showed why she got that honor. She locked down one of the best players in the conference in Taylor Jackson (eight points on 3 of 8 shooting and three rebounds), kept her off the boards and made shots tough for her."
Hinz wasn't alone. Four other Coyotes scored in double figures as well – LaMyah Ricks (SO/Shawnee Mission, Kan.) had 13, Caila Hill 12 and Cat Bowman and Amanda Hill (SR/Rossville, Kan.) 11 apiece. Amanda Hill also had 13 rebounds and sister Caila flirted with a triple double, adding eight rebounds and seven assists.
"That's an incredible stat line for Caila," Showman said.
KWU shot 43.5 percent (27 of 62), was 9 of 18 beyond the 3-point arc and had an almost unheard of 20 assists on 27 made field goals. The Coyotes also outrebounded Friends 48-41 and committed 13 turnovers after entering the game averaging 19.
Friends shot 36.5 percent (27 of 74), was 8 of 28 beyond the arc and had 12 turnovers. Alexa Chairs led the Falcons (22-10) with 16 points while Sweet had 15 and eight rebounds.
Friends led 24-22 with five minutes left in the first half before KWU closed on a 15-7 surge – the Falcons' final three points coming on Bridget Busbee's halfcourt 3-pointer as the horn sounded.
Next up is the Sterling juggernaut that has run roughshod over the KCAC again this season. The Warriors defeated McPherson 88-68 in their quarterfinal Wednesday; they trailed 47-42 at halftime before outscoring the Bulldogs 46-21 in the second half.
Showman said his team is ready for the challenge.
"These girls want to get to Hartman (Arena for Monday's championship game)," he said. "The seniors want to get to Hartman, they want to close out their season, their careers with a chance at a championship and a chance at a (NAIA) berth.
"We know the road to Hartman runs through Sterling. At this point we're playing so well and so confident … it's going to be a great game and our girls are going to be ready."