Friends Athletics
Levi Convirs
WICHITA, Kan. – For the second straight week, Friends University senior forward Taylor Jackson is the KCAC’s top defensive player, the conference office announced on Monday. It’s the 16th KCAC Defensive Player of the Week award overall for the Falcons’ defensive stalwart.
In a defensive slugfest tailor-made for Jackson, the Houston, Texas native didn’t disappoint and came through with 18 rebounds, including 10 on the defensive end along with three blocks and two steals in the Falcons’ 47-45 KCAC opening victory Saturday (Nov. 16) at Evangel University.
With the Falcons clinging to a one-point lead late, Jackson came through not with one of her characteristic blocked shots, but with a steal that allowed the Falcons to maintain control and hold on for the big road win.
Jackson is tops in the KCAC this season in both defensive rebounds (39) and blocks (14).
“Taylor continues to control the game at the defensive end,” said Friends women’s basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. “She takes away so many options for other teams, and she does it without fouling. On a week when we struggled to score, Taylor was a major factor in securing a big road win to start conference play.”
Up next, Jackson and the Falcons will play at Oklahoma Wesleyan University Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. in Bartlesville, Okla. Friends will then face York University in its KCAC home opener Saturday evening (Nov. 23) at 5 pm inside the Garvey Center.