Winfield, Kan. – Southwestern College men's basketball never got started against Friends University, never leading in the game in a 79-59 loss.

This loss drops #23 Southwestern to 19-5 overall and 9-4 in KCAC play.  Southwestern is alone in third place with a two game lead over fourth place with only five games to play.

Down 10-11 with 15:00 minutes left in the first half, Friends would explode offensively on a 30-16 run to lead by 15 points at halftime.  The Falcons would never look back, leading by as many as 22 in the second half and eventually coming away with the 20 point victory.

Southwestern only shot 39% from the field while giving up 55% shooting for the Falcons.  Southwestern also had 19 turnovers as compared to 12 for Friends.

The Builders were led by Ethan Randolph who finished with 25 points on 11-14 shooting.  Chris Nelson pitched in 16 points and five rebounds.

Next up for Southwestern is a matchup against McPherson College on Saturday in McPherson, Kansas.  Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. (CST) as the #23 Moundbuilders look to bounce back and knock off #4 McPherson.  Remember, if for some reason you cannot attend the game; please join Curt Caden as he will be broadcasting live via the Builder Sports Radio Network.  To listen to this feed, click on the listen live button on the right side of the athletics home page at www.buildersports.com.

As part of a nationwide effort in support of the United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign, Southwestern College will be taking donations at a basketball game to raise funds to send life-saving anti-malarial bed nets to Africa.  The event will take place at Southwestern's men's and women's games against Friends University on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 6 and 8 p.m. inside Stewart Field House.
             
Long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets are one of the most cost-effective methods of preventing malaria, a leading killer of African children. They create a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of malaria transmissions occur.  One bed net can protect a family of four, and lasts up to five years.  It costs just $10 to purchase, deliver, and educate the recipient on its proper use.  Fans paying for a $10 net will also be admitted free into the games.  The United Methodist Foundation will match each $10 gift that is donated.
          
"We have already saved hundreds of thousands of lives," says Dick Wilke, bishop in residence at Southwestern College.  "Our goal is to stamp out malaria.  Each net will save a person's life."

Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign. Inspired by sports columnist Rick Reilly, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation in 2006. Campaign partners include the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares, the United Methodist Church, and Major League Soccer's MLS W.O.R.K.S. 

For more information go to www.NothingButNets.net.