No. 19 MC stunned

By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

Friends' Falcons have gone from worst to first in just two weeks.

The Falcons, picked last in the KCAC preseason men's polls, remained atop the standings here Saturday after stunning No. 19-ranked McPherson College, 82-61.

"Friends is very quick and plays the best defense we've seen this year," Mac coach Roger Trimmell said. "I can see how they're 4-0. They're going to be hard to beat if they play like that."

Mac was never really in the game after star senior Kenny Romero picked up his second foul just four minutes into the game and didn't return the rest of the half, which found Friends up by 10. Romero wound up playing only 16 minutes for the game and scored a season-low 4 points after averaging 25.

Brian Hooks scored 16 points to lead the Bulldogs, while Steffan Pittman had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds for Friends.

The Bulldogs are now 3-1 in the KCAC, a game back of Friends and Tabor. Now 9-3 overall, Mac plays next on Jan. 5 when it hosts the University of Dallas.

Mac (61) -- Rierson 1 2-3 5; Cox 1 1-2 3; McDonald 5 1-2 12; Carter 3 0-0 7; Hooks 5 5-5 16; Soto 2 2-2 6; Romero 1 2-3 4; Gustafson 1 2-3 5. Totals -- 20 16-21 61. 3-pointers -- Rierson 1, McDonald 1, Hooks 1, Gustafson 1.

Friends (82) -- Jemmerson 6 0-0 12; Jackson 2 0-0 5; Rausch 4 3-3 11; Carrell 4 2-2 10; Joy 4 0-0 11; Williams 3 1-1 7; Dockery 2 2-2 6; Pittman 6 8-11 20. Totals -- 31 16-19 82. 3-pointers -- Joy 3, Jackson 1.