Sierra Shipley led JBU with 15 points and seven rebounds on Thursday night.

Siloam Springs, Ark. (December 30, 2010)

The JBU women’s basketball team picked up right where they left off before the Christmas break by cruising to a 77-62 win over Friends (Kan.) on Thursday night in Bill George Arena.

Freshman Sierra Shipley led JBU (10-2) with 15 points and seven boards to go along with three steals and a block.  Junior Chelsea Garrison was next with 14 points.  And freshman Kortni Kendrick and senior Emily Ortiz had 11 and 10 respectively.

Friends (8-6) got a game high 30 points from senior guard Ta’vi Polley-Davis of Tulsa, Okla.  Sarah Munds chipped in with 10.

After falling behind 3-4 early, JBU turned up the heat and went on a 25-9 run to go up 30-13 with 11:07 left in the first period.  FU struck back and made it 36-22 with five minutes left in the half, but the Lady Eagles held off the attack by continuing to knock down shots.  A buzzer beater by Shipley made it a 45-29 game heading into the intermission.

In the second period, JBU shifted to another gear and increased their lead to as many as 24 at one point before hitting the cruise control.  A last ditch effort allowed the Falcons to pull within 15 as time expired giving JBU the 77-62 victory.

For the game, JBU shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59), while holding FU to 35.7 percent (20-of-56).  JBU also crushed FU on the glass 49-29.

Up next, the ladies head to Oklahoma City to face Mid-America Christian in Sooner Athletic Conference action.  Game time is set for 3 p.m. with the men following at 5 p.m.