WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS IN TIGHT AFFAIR TO STERLING

STERLING, Kan. – A strong third quarter and 27 points from Madilyn Melton were not enough as Avila women's basketball fell at Sterling, 75-67, on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams played a tight first quarter, with the KCAC rivals trading the lead back-and-forth before Sterling took a 19-17 lead into the second quarter.

Sterling outscored Avila by eight in the second and entered halftime with a 10-point lead.

Avila came out in the second half on fire, shooting 50 percent from the field and outscored Sterling by four in the third quarter, cutting the lead to six. Melton put up 10 points on 4-5 shooting in the third to keep the Eagles in the game.

Sterling kept Avila at bay in the fourth quarter to wrap the game up. After Avila cut the Sterling lead to one with less than five minutes remaining, the Warriors ended the game on a 10-3 run to put the game on ice.

Melton finished with 27 points and eight rebounds, extending her double-figure scoring streak to 12 games. Talia Dyson scored 12 points for her first double-figure scoring game of her collegiate career. 

Heading into Thanksgiving break, Avila will take on Mission at 5:30 on Tuesday from Mabee Fieldhouse.

(photo credit: Ali Nassir)