WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WINS SECOND-STRAIGHT, TAKES DOWN OKWU

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A 20-point double-double from Madilyn Melton and 50 percent shooting from the field as a team helped Avila women's basketball notch a 70-65 victory over Oklahoma Wesleyan at Mabee Fieldhouse on Wednesday, giving the program back-to-back wins and five victories on the season.

Avila came out of the gates hot, outscoring OKWU 22-13 in the first quarter, thanks to 10 points and two threes from Kathleen Stanley.

Freshman Ava Hughes came to life in the second quarter, scoring a quick seven points in five minutes as the Eagles entered halftime with a 41-36 lead as Oklahoma Wesleyan closed the lead on a buzzer-beating three to end the half.

Avila came out of the locker room cold in the second half, scoring just 10 points in the third quarter as OKWU narrowed the Avila lead to two entering the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Marlie Wright's 11 points and perfect 4-4 shooting from the free throw line helped the Eagles put the game away.

Avila shot 25-of-50 from the field as a team, including 4-of-9 from three-point range and 16-of-19 from the foul line to help secure its second-straight victory.

The hometown Eagles won the game down low, outscoring OKWU in the paint, 38-20 and securing 19 points off of 16 Oklahoma Wesleyan turnovers.

Melton finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, extending her double-digit scoring streak to 14. Wright finished the game with 15 points and five assists, while Stanley ended the game with 14 points, four boards and four assists. 

Avila will look to win its third-straight game on Saturday at Southwestern. Tipoff is slated for 1 PM.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)