MEN’S BASKETBALL SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF SEASON TO GRAND VIEW

LAMONI, Iowa – In the second day of the KCAC/HAAC Classic, Avila men's basketball lost to Grand View, 97-82, picking up their first loss of the season. Avila shot over 50 percent from the floor in the game and had two players with 20-plus points in the contest, but were unable to slow down the Grand View offense and the Vikings' guard, Daviyon Gaston, who dropped 36 points.

Avila put up 44 points in the first half, but Grand View scored 50, including knocking down six shots from behind the arc. Xavier Kahube put up 16 points in the first half on 6-of-8 shooting to keep the Eagles in the game.

From an offensive perspective, Avila had one of its most efficient games of the year, but could not slow down the Vikings offense.

Kahube finished the game with 25 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks, while Gio Mack chipped in 21 points and six boards. Off the bench, James Ross III scored 12 and picked up two steals.

Avila's 51.7 shooting from the field was its second-highest total on the young season and its 10 steals were the fourth time this season in double-figures. 

The Eagles open up conference play next Saturday, taking on Bethany from Mabee Fieldhouse at 8 PM.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)