Friends foils Haskell

Falcons capitalize on Indian mistakes in 66-46 win

For the first seven minutes of the second half, Haskell Indian Nations University’s women’s basketball squad focused on its opponent, Friends University.

But for the remaining 33 minutes Wednesday, the Fightin’ Indians couldn’t execute, and the Falcons pulled away for a 66-46 victory at Coffin Complex.

“I was worried they were going to score 100,” Haskell coach Phil Homeratha said.

Haskell (2-3) trailed 41-20 at the half because of poor shooting and a failure to stop Friends’ pinpoint passing game.

The Indians shot just 23 percent during the first half, connecting on just seven field goals. Friends, however, made 17 buckets in the half and shot better than 53 percent – 14 assists helped the Falcons’ cause.

“We just need to recognize a little bit more what is happening,” Homeratha said.

During the start of the second half, Haskell got its act together.

The Indians stopped allowing Friends’ guards to penetrate and all but bottled up the Falcons’ outside game the first seven minutes.

Haskell went on a 11-3 run to cut Friends’ lead to 13, the Indians’ closest margin since the Falcons started the game with a 9-2 spurt.

But Haskell quickly resumed its struggles when Friends’ Amanda Barkley connected on three three-pointers in less than three minutes, helping the Falcons grab a 56-33 lead.

Friends had four players with nine points or more, including 21 from Barkley and 10 from Allison O’Brien, who was formerly Allison Rose of Eudora.

Haskell Indian Nations University's Delicia Gransen (40) bobbles a pass during Wednesday's game at Coffin Complex.

Haskell was led by guard Kateri Schaaf’s 14 points. Forward Melissa Mossett added 13 and Melissa Catron 10.

Haskell was playing without top point guard Shawnavyn Joe and Mossett was fighting the flu, but Homeratha said his team has to shoot better.

“We’re not going to beat anybody shooting like that,” he said.

Friends 66, Haskell 46

Friends (66)

Allison O’Brien 4-11 2-4 10, Audrey Smith 1-1 0-0 2, Kelsey Brown 0-3 0-0 0, Stacie Bell 4-7 0-0 10, Jenny Meiere 0-1 0-0 0, Kasey Porter 0-0 0-0 0, Amanda Barkley 8-13 1-1 21, Johni Lee 0-2 0-0 0, Jenna Kokojan 3-6 1-1 9, Kamilia Lewis 0-0 0-0 0, Kristin Buchanan 1-2 1-2 3, Jenny Urban 1-2 0-0 2, Kirsten Welk 3-6 0-0 6, Jodi Osmus 1-3 1-3 3. Totals 26-57 6-11 66.

Haskell (46)

Lindsey Hust 1-4 0-0 2, Jessica SquirrelCoat 0-2 0-0 0, Carrie Whitlow 0-1 0-0 0, Kateri Schaaf 5-15 2-8 14, Rebecca Costa 0-2 1-2 1, Melissa Mossett 6-12 1-2 13, Delicia Gransen 0-6 0-2 0, Marinda Lamon 0-6 0-0 0, Melissa Catron 2-10 5-6 10, Lisa Dixon 2-4 2-4 6. Totals 16-62 11-24 46.

Three-point goals :quot; Friends 8-17 (Barkley 4-7, Bell 2-4, Kokojan 2-5, O’Brien 0-1), Haskell 3-15 (Schaaf 2-5, Catron 1-1, Gransen 0-3, Lamon 0-2, SquirrelCoat 0-2, Hust 0-1, Costa 0-1). Turnovers :quot; Friends 22, Haskell 12. Total Fouls :quot; Friends 20, Haskell 12.