Avila Drops 2022 Season Opener at Cottey
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Avila | 15 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 46 |
|
Cottey | 24 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 56 |
NEVADA, Mo. – Avila defended extremely well for the final three frames, holding Cottey to just 32 points on just 26% field goal shooting over that time, but the Eagle offense could not make up for an early deficit and Avila (0-1) dropped a 56-46 decision to the Comets (1-0) in the Eagles' 2022 season opener on Saturday afternoon.
London Foster got the Eagles on the board first 40 seconds in to Remy Wolfe's debut as Avila head coach, but a 3-pointer from Cottey's Derin Akdeniz two minutes later gave the Comets the lead, and the home team never trailed again. Foster set up Kaytee Frasher for a bucket to tie the game at four apiece, but the Comets followed that with back to back threes to seize command, and never looked back.
Avila's new scoring duo of Emily Baldwin and Hannah Smith helped the Eagles rally to within a point late in the first quarter before the Comets pulled back ahead 24-15 after one quarter. From there, the Eagle defense, anchored especially by Kayla Navy and Daisy Washington, put the clamps on the Comets, limiting them to just 32 points over the final three periods. Avila out-scored Cottey by five in the fourth quarter but ultimately the Eagle offense, could not overcome that first quarter deficit in an eventual 56-46 win for the Comets.
Avila actually out-shot Cottey in the game (31% FG to 30%) and dominated off turnovers (16 points to 4), but the Comets were better from the perimeter, the line and on the glass, building a lead as large as 19 in the 10-point win. Claudia Hadlock led all players with 15 points, and both Akdeniz and Olivia Pruitt scored 11. Foster led the Eagles with 10; Washington scored seven with five rebounds; and Navy filled the stat sheet with eight points, seven boards, four steals and a block off the bench.
Up next, Avila women's basketball will face Baptist Bible College on Friday, November 3 in Springfield. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM; stay tuned to Avila Athletics on social media and avilaathletics.com for details on how to watch and follow along.
