Eagles Keep Pace in Exhibition at William Jewell

LIBERTY, Mo. – Avila women's basketball fought hard in a late-December exhibition contest against local NCAA Division II foe William Jewell– the Eagles had the lead after the first quarter before the Cardinals finally settled in and ultimately prevailed 75-57 on Tuesday afternoon.

In their second-to-last game of the 2023 calendar year, Avila women's basketball made the short trip north to Liberty to play their second exhibition match against a D2 school this season. There's plenty of history between the women's basketball programs at Avila and William Jewell, which made this a logical second exhibition opponent for the Eagles this year following their game at Emporia State last month.

Unlike in that game, in this one the Eagle offense was in decent shape throughout; but just like in that game against the Hornets, the Eagles started off strong, giving the Cardinals a real scare, before the home team finally settled in as the second quarter wore on to gain control – and once the Cardinals gained control, the Eagles were unable to get it back.

Avila led for more than seven out of the 10 minutes of the first quarter and built a 12-10 lead after the first period. The Cardinals got their offense in gear in the second quarter, though, shooting 64% from the field in the second ten minutes, and then put the clamps down defensively in the third period, limiting Avila to just 2-of-10 field goal shooting. Both offenses shot 50% or better from the field in the fourth quarter and Avila won the rebounding battle 9-4, but by that point the deficit was too large to overcome, and William Jewell prevailed 75-57.

Emree Zars led the Cardinals with 14 points, though she needed 11 field goal attempts to get there. Chloe Frank scored 13 points with seven rebounds. Hannah Pinkston paced the Eagles with 11 points and eight rebounds; Eireon Adams scored ten points with four rebounds; Madilyn Melton added nine and six.

Up next, Avila women's basketball has a bit of a break for Christmas before the Eagles return for one final game in 2023: on December 30 at College of St. Mary. Stay tuned for details on how to watch and follow that game once the date gets closer.