MEN’S BASKETBALL STARTS SEASON OFF ON RIGHT FOOT, PICKS UP 15-POINT WIN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Head Coach Tyler Bredehoeft and the Avila men's basketball program nearly tripled their win total from his first season on the bench to his second in 2024-25. To tip off Bredehoeft's third season at the helm, the Eagles could not have gotten off to a better start, defeating Health Sciences and Pharmacy 94-79 on Friday night at Mabee Fieldhouse.

In the first two minutes of the season opener, Avila got off to an 8-0 start, forcing an early UHSP timeout. Newcomer Gio Mack assisted on three of Avila's four made baskets during the opening run.

Avila never trailed in the contest and got the 2025-26 campaign off to a phenomenal start in the first half. The Eagles entered the break leading 54-39 thanks to double-figure scoring from Xavier Kahube (15), plus a pair of Eagles with double-digits off the bench in Logan Bishop (13) and Jason Ernest (11).

In the opening 20 minutes, the Eagles shot 58 percent from the floor.

UHSP put up a fight in the second half, not letting Avila score as frequently as in the first.

The Eagles had scoring from up and down the roster in the game. Kahube, a reigning All-KCAC Third Team member, got his season off on the right foot, putting up 21 points, eight boards, five assist and a pair of blocks.

In his fifth career game, Bishop dropped 13 points on four-of-five shooting and added three assists to his night.

Ernest finished the contest with a near double-double – 19 points and nine rebounds – while Mack (16) and Joe Kearney (12) rounded out the double-figure Eagle scorers.

Avila led the game in nearly every statistical category. The Eagle defense also started the season strong, forcing 19 turnovers while recording 15 steals and six blocks. Avila's transition game resulted in 22 points off turnovers.

Avila's 94 points scored are the most in the Bredehoeft era and the Eagles' highest-scoring game since February of 2021. 

The Eagles are back on the court on Thursday at 6 PM, hosting William Woods at Mabee Fieldhouse.

 (photo credit: Ixtla Banda)