HILLSBORO, Kan. -- The Tabor College Men's Basketball teams bid to upset first place Friends University fell short Thursday night in Hillsboro, Kan., where the Bluejays fell to the Falcons, 86-75, to close out the first round of KCAC play.

After a falling behind quickly, 7-2, the Bluejays would settle down and the first half would become a see saw battle that featured seven lead changes and six ties as neither team was able to build more then a six point. Friends held a three-point lead at halftime, 36-33.

The second half was a game of runs. Friends extended its lead to nine or more five times, only to see the Bluejays answer back to four or less each time, including cutting the lead to one at 62-61, with just seven minutes to play, and four points with just under three to play, at 74-70.

Friends however was able to keep the Bluejays at bay behind the strength of 17 of 18 free throw shooting in the second half to hold on to the victory.

The Bluejays were led offensively by sophomore Cody Arnold (Leon, Kan.) with 24 points as he knocked down four threes to go along with five assists and three rebounds.

Junior Damon Dechant (Kit Carson, Colo.) added 14 points on seven of 10 shooting to go along with a team high nine rebounds, while senior Dan Hann (Phoenix, Ariz.) and freshmen Ryan Chippeaux (Wichita, Kan.) and Clay Shewey (Hillsboro, Kan.) each added nine points apiece to aid the Bluejays offense.

Tabor (3-6 KCAC, 6-11 Overall) will begin the second round of KCAC play Saturday Jan. 23, when the Bluejays will host Sterling College at 7 p.m.