The Saint Mary women's basketball team traveled to Wichita, KS for a KCAC matchup with #24 Friends on Thursday night. It is the sixth game this season the Spires have played a team ranked or receiving votes.

Friends would outscore Saint Mary 22-18 in the first quarter, and the Falcons would push their lead to 12 points at one point in the second quarter before Saint Mary made a run to close the half. The Spires found themselves within five points at halftime.

Saint Mary continued to claw their way back in the game in the second half. Imani White would net a basket with 5:55 left in the third quarter to give the Spires a one point lead.

Friends would not be denied, however. The Falcons responded by pushing out to an eight point lead by the end of the third quarter. Saint Mary would be unable to make up ground in the fourth as Friends earned the 78-69 victory.

Four Spires scored in double figures. White was the top scorer and rebounder for Saint Mary with 19 points and eight rebounds. Candy De Los Reyes finished with 15 points. Kelsey Switzer added 14, and Ashley Hinkle scored 10 points for the Spires. Cassidy Harbert had a team high six assists.

The women's basketball team will resume play at York on Saturday at 1pm.