STRONG ALL-AROUND PLAY GIVES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON-OPENING WIN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hitting the court for the first time in the 2025-26 campaign, Avila women's basketball picked up a 77-49 victory over Cottey College on Tuesday evening at Mabee Fieldhouse, starting the season off 1-0 for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

The Eagles held the Comets to single-digit points in the first (nine) and third (seven) quarters, and scored at least 18 in all four quarters on the offensive end.

Avila was led to victory by its three returning starters, including last season's leading scorer, Madilyn Melton, who had a near double-double with 23 points and nine rebounds.

Marlie Wright only put up four points, but helped the Eagles with five rebounds and six assists to go along with three steals, while Kathleen Stanley knocked down four three-pointers to finish with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

Avila got off to a hot start in the opening quarter, outscoring Cottey 18-9, including finishing the quarter on an 8-2 run.

Melton put up 10 of her 23 points in the second quarter as Avila shot 44/50/100 in the quarter and held a 38-27 lead entering halftime.

Avila's strong defensive performance in the third quarter held Cottey to 27 percent shooting from the field while the Eagles recorded four steals in the first 10 minutes out of halftime. Avila's punishing defense helped to stretch the lead to 57-35 entering the fourth quarter.

With the game all but wrapped up, Avila got 12 of its 20 fourth-quarter points from reserves.

In total, Avila outrebounded Cottey, 43-29, forced 24 Comet turnovers – resulting in 24 Eagle points – and scored 38 points in the paint, compared to just 24 from Cottey.

Ava Hughes, playing in her first game in an Avila uniform, contributed five points and nine boards off the bench, while Talia Dyson and Ashlyn Kuhlman each put up six points as reserves. 

The Eagles will head north to Parkville for two games this weekend as part of the Remy Williams Memorial Invitational, first taking on MidAmerica Nazarene on Friday at PM, followed by a 4 PM tip with Park on Saturday.

 (photo credit: Ixtla Banda)