LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary women's basketball team fell late to Friends University at home on Wednesday night, 53-51. The Falcons made a basket with one minute left to take the lead and stopped the Spires chance at two points.

The Spires are 1-6 overall and 1-5 in KCAC play.

The Spires jumped out to an early 18-4 lead just before Daspin Bruning was able to connect on both free throws in the first quarter. The Spires later increased their lead, before taking a 19-point lead at the half, 37-18. Kaitlyn Fisher sank two points just before the half with her seventh point of the quarter.

The Spires lead continued as Daija Planas hit a two-pointer and the Spires would ride it to a 41-26 lead with 2:05 left in the third. The Falcons would still find trouble to keep up with the Spires as the third quarter ended, trailing 43-28. Both teams stayed neck-and-neck with each other in the fourth quarter. With the Falcons struggling to find their offense and stopping the Spires push in the fourth quarter, the Falcons seemed to still have gas in the tank, as Khadijah Miller hit a three-pointer to gain their first lead of the game, 51-49. The Spires struggled with turnovers, but found their offense as a pass to Macy Walker, who was just shy of a double-double, sank in a two pointer with just 3 seconds left in the game falling just short, 53-51.

Jerrica Johnson led the Spires with 11 points and Walker chipped in nine points with nine rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Spires are back in action Thursday when they travel to Kansas City, Mo. to take on Avila University at 6 p.m.