Avila Rallies to Top OKWU in Overtime

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Trailing by ten at the halftime break, Avila women's basketball (5-19, 5-13 KCAC) turned in a brilliant second half, tied the game in the final 20 seconds to force overtime, and ultimately defeated Oklahoma Wesleyan (8-16, 7-12 KCAC) 70-62 in the extra session on Saturday afternoon in Oklahoma.

An impressive comeback victory gives Avila the season sweep over the KCAC's other Eagle team, and gives the squad from Kansas City three victories in their last four games this season – more wins than they had in the first half of the campaign combined. The Eagles cracked 70 points for the third time this season, and finished the night shooting exactly 50% from the field (their second-best clip this year), not to mention a dazzling 47% (7-of-15) from beyond the arc, also their second-best clip this year. Avila has shot 40% or better from three-point range in each of their three recent wins, and the Eagles are now 5-4 when shooting at least 30% from downtown, proving that when the Eagles can consistently hit shots, they can consistently compete in games.

They certainly competed in the game Saturday, but it took a little while for the visitors to truly get going. Oklahoma Wesleyan had a dismal first quarter shooting the ball, but made up for it by collecting eight offensive rebounds, and turned that into a 14-11 lead after ten minutes. OKWU then had a complete about-face in the second quarter, knocking down two-thirds of their shot attempts, stretching their lead to as many as 13 before settling for a 36-26 lead at the intermission.

After halftime, Avila was able to steadily get itself in gear and start mounting a comeback. Kaytee Frasher helped get it started by scoring the first two baskets of the second half, forcing an early OKWU timeout. A quick 6-2 Avila run helped the visitors get back to within three points before Daisy Washington scored back to back buckets to get the Eagles all the way to within 42-41 with under two minutes to play in the third, forcing another OKWU timeout. Out of that break, Washington grabbed an offensive rebound and ultimately Kayla Navy hit a jumper, giving Avila its first lead since the first half at 43-42. Oklahoma Wesleyan had a timely response, however, scoring a pair of baskets in the final 20seconds to regain a slim 46-43 lead.

That set up a barnburner of a fourth quarter to decide the game – or, in this case, extend it. OKWU's largest lead was six, 55-49, at the 4:46 mark, and the home team then led 57-53 with two minutes to play. The Avila defense went into lockdown mode down the stretch, preventing Oklahoma Wesleyan from scoring a field goal in the final four minutes.

Still down by four with 90 seconds left, it was Avila's turn to work the offensive glass: Navy cleaned up one miss and scored a putback before Frasher did the same with less than 20 seconds remaining, evening the score at 57. Oklahoma Wesleyan failed to do anything with its possession at the end of the game, sending the game into overtime.

Avila's comeback was complete, and soon after the game shifted into the extra session it was not clear at all that Oklahoma Wesleyan was the team that held a double-digit lead earlier in the game. Mary Cone hit a three about a minute into the overtime to give OKWU a brief lead, but from then on Avila absolutely took over, displaying some impressive tenacity en route to a win.

Down by three with three minutes left, Emily Baldwin started the surge with a transition bucket, and Frasher followed with a deep ball to put Avila in front. Frasher then set up Navy for a layup before Baldwin connected on a clutch triple, pushing Avila's lead out to seven. Gracie Alexander made one shot for the home team but it was nowhere close to enough: Baldwin hit three free throws in the final 30-plus seconds to seal a 70-62, come-from-behind road win for the Avila Eagles, cementing the season sweep.

Ty'Najah Mitchell led Oklahoma Wesleyan with 15 points along with eight rebounds, while Mahaley Farmer score ten points with seven boards and four assists. Hannah Smith tied for the Avila lead with 15 points and three steals; Navy had her best game in a while with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench; Baldwin kept her personal hot streak going with 13 points, 10 of which came after halftime; and Frasher continued to do it all, scoring nine points and tallying a game-high nine rebounds.

Up next, Avila women's basketball returns home to Mabee Fieldhouse to take on local rivals Ottawa on Wednesday, February 8. A Wednesday tripleheader begins with JV men's basketball at 2:45, with women's following at 5 PM and men's rounding out the night at 7 PM. As always, you can watch all the action on the Avila Sports Network.