BETHEL HANDS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL A HEARTBREAKING OT LOSS

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – A Marlie Wright three-pointer at the buzzer was not enough as the Threshers of Bethel handed Avila women's basketball a tough 79-78 overtime loss on Wednesday afternoon.

The two KCAC squads were very evenly-matched throughout the contest, with neither team leading by more than seven at any point.

In the fourth quarter, the two squads traded the lead for the first seven minutes of the quarter. Turnovers and missed shots saw the teams remain scoreless for the final 2:55 of regulation to force overtime.

Avila tied the game up with 1:59 remaining in OT, but Bethel would knock down a shot 20 seconds later and not look back to wrap up the one-point victory.

Madilyn Melton put up a big game for Avila, scoring 25 points. She was joined by Wright's 16 and 12 from Hannah Smith. Eireon Adams grabbed 10 boards off the bench, while Kathleen Stanley and Wright had three steals on the defensive end.

Avila will look to bounce back on Wednesday night at Saint Mary with tipoff scheduled for 6 PM.