Falcons Claw Out Win

The Faith Bible Falcons entered Friday's game against Columbia Christian missing four of their players due to injury and COVID protocol. Columbia Christian came into the game after logging two consecutive league wins - including an impressive performance against Mannahouse Christian.

However, being short-handed did not stop Faith Bible from securing their 6th league win as they clawed out a 45-38 win.

In the first quarter, Columbia Christian took control of the game. Their 1-3-1 zone created turnovers and held Faith Bible to just 8 points. Senior Jordan Tibbets scored 6 out of Columbia's 11 points in the first quarter. Faith Bible's 1-man-zone defense kept the Falcons in the game, but momentum favored Columbia.

"We needed to play more aggressively," Faith Bible's Matthew Fachiol said after the game. And that is just what the Falcons did. They quickly drew three fouls on Columbia's Dawson Vensel, forcing head coach Joey Chapman to sit the senior for the remainder of the half.

"The foul trouble hurt our mental state," Chapman said after the game.

The rest of the second quarter, Faith Bible continued to hang with Columbia, but never managed to gain the lead. Going into half, Columbia led 22-21.

Foul trouble haunted Columbia in the second half. Vensel picked up his fourth foul only two and a half minutes into the third quarter. when he reentered the game in the fourth quarter, he fouled out almost immediately, leaving Columbia without a key weapon.

Once Vensel left the floor, Faith Bible took the lead shortly thereafter and never looked back. Fachiol secured key rebounds for his team and the team hit free throws down the stretch. "Faith Bible wanted it more tonight," Chapman said of the Falcon's effort.

Tibbets carried Columbia on the offensive end by scoring 17 points. Faith Bible's entire offense flowed through Fachiol who created opportunities for teammates as well as scoring 14 of his own points. The biggest benefactor of Fachiol's play was Luke Taylor who led all scorers with 19 points.

"We really, really, really needed this win. We needed to be down and for every possession to matter," Faith Bible coach Brent Masterson said. Fachiol said that the team believes in each other, "We to reflect Christ the best we can and it shows on the floor. We believe it when we say 'family.'"

Columbia won their homecoming game against Portland Christian on Saturday putting them at 3-3 in league play. Heading into a Monday matchup with Knappa, Columbia feels confident. "We can compete with them if we stay locked in," Chapman said.

Faith Bible looks to get their third win in a row on Monday against a Neah-Kah-Nie team that has struggled since being ravaged by COVID.