Eagles Outslug Threshers, Earn Third Straight Win

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – Powered by a great first half from Hannah Smith, a great second half from the Eagle bench, and a great day from the Eagle offense overall, Avila women's basketball (5-9, 4-4 KCAC) swamped Bethel (4-10, 4-4 KCAC) in a comprehensive 80-63 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Just days after the Eagle defense was the storyline in holding Oklahoma Wesleyan without a field goal in the second quarter in an Avila win on Wednesday, the Avila offense was the storyline in an Avila win on Saturday, the Eagles' third in a row dating back to December 30. Avila shot exactly 50% from the field, a new season high, and scored 80 points for the second time this season.

Smith scored a team-high 19 points, 17 of which came in the first half – she's now led the Eagles in scoring in each of the last three games, all Avila wins. All 12 Eagles that saw the floor scored at least two points, and both Eireon Adams and Kathleen Stanley scored 12 points off the bench: the Avila bench accounted for a whopping 45 points, more than half of the Eagles' team total and nearly as many as Bethel's starting contingent provided (52).

And really, for the second time this week, the Eagles prevailed with very little drama. Avila never trailed on Wednesday against OKWU, and trailed for less than a minute of game time against Bethel. A bucket from Taylor Hight gave the Threshers the lead, 10-8, for just the second time with 4:30 left in the first quarter, but the Eagles canceled that out with a bucket from Adams on the next possession less than 20 seconds later. Neither team scored for the next couple of minutes, but once Avila went back in front after two Daisy Washington free throws and a steal-and-score from Smith with about 2:30 left, the Eagles never looked back.

Morgan Wiseman set up Mia Smith for a critical three-pointer in the final two minutes, and Anastasia Wright followed with a second-chance bucket with a minute left before Hannah Smith put the finishing touches on a brilliant first quarter with a jumper in the final few seconds. Avila closed the first quarter scoring 11 of the final 12 points and outscored Bethel by ten over the first ten minutes. Both teams scored 20 points in the second quarter before Avila once again outscored Bethel by exactly ten points in the third quarter, and that was more than enough margin for the Eagles in an 80-63 win.

Up next, Avila women's basketball returns home for a full night of action this Wednesday, January 10 in Mabee Fieldhouse against Friends. Part of Student Welcome Back Week at Avila University, Avila Basketball is hosting Hawaiian Night and Catholic Schools Night as the Eagles take on the Falcons at 6 PM and 8 PM. As always, you can watch all the action live and for free on the Avila Sports Network with Joe Van Amburg on the call from Kansas City.