ALL-AROUND OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE LEADS MEN’S BASKETBALL TO BIG WIN OVER OTTAWA

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With five players in double figures and two with a double-double, Avila men's basketball cruised to a 95-75 win over Ottawa at Mabee Fieldhouse on Wednesday night for the program's second-straight home victory.

The Eagles got off to a hot start in the opening six minutes, starting the game on a 12-3 run, including six points from Xavier Kahube.

An emotional game, Ottawa racked up three technical fouls in the first half and Avila went 5-6 from the line on those ensuing free throws.

Avila stretched its lead to as much as 21 in the first half, before entering the break with a 51-34 lead over the KCAC rivals.

Avila shot 52.6 percent in the first half and held Ottawa to 36 percent shooting from the floor while also forcing seven Braves turnovers.

The Eagles led for the entirety of the game and would only grow its halftime lead in the closing 20 minutes.

Midway through the second half, Avila ballooned its lead to 28 on a fastbreak layup from Jason Ernest. Avila would not look back for the final 10 minutes.

The victory was Avila's seventh 90-point game of the season as they continue to lead the KCAC in scoring.

Kahube (21 points and 11 rebounds) and Gio Mack (16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists) led the Eagles with double-doubles on the night. Joe Kearney (17), Jason Ernest (11) and Blessing Nwotite (10) were the three other Eagles in double-figures.

Kearney (four steals) and Nwotite (three steals and four blocks) led the way on the defensive end.

Avila shot 52.8 percent from the floor in the game – its ninth game this season making more than half of its shots – and outrebounded the Braves 46-32. 

The Eagles will look to win back-to-back games when they travel to Kansas Wesleyan on Saturday for a 3 PM tipoff.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)