DOMINANT PERFORMANCE GIVES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL THIRD-STRAIGHT WIN

WINFIELD, Kan. – A dominant performance in all phases of the game gave Avila women's basketball a 90-56 win at Southwestern on Saturday afternoon, the program's third-consecutive victory.

The Eagles came out hot in the first quarter, outscoring the Moundbuilders 19-9. On the defensive end, Avila forced four Southwestern turnovers in the opening 10 minutes.

Avila would put up even more offense in the second quarter, scoring 24 points, and would enter halftime with a 43-32 lead behind seven made three-pointers in the first half.

The third quarter was where the Eagles put the game out of reach, stretching its lead to as much as 34 and outscoring the Moundbuilders 24-12 coming out of halftime. Avila would hit three more shots from long-range in the third and force four more Southwestern turnovers.

Entering the fourth quarter with a 23-point lead, Avila would not let up, once again outscoring Southwestern by double-digits en route to the 90-56 victory.

Every Eagle scored in the contest and six would hit at least one three-pointer.

As a team, Avila shot 55.2 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from behind the arc. It was the first time the Eagles hit more than half of its shots from three-point range since January 13 and the 90 points were also the team's highest total since that date. The 55.2 percent shooting from field goal range gave Avila back-to-back games shooting 50 percent or better from the floor.

On the defensive end, Avila had four players – Talia Dyson, Marlie Wright, Ashlyn Kuhlman and Brylie Hicks – record multiple steals.

Kathleen Stanley hit a career-high six shots from long-range and has made 13 three-pointers during Avila's three-game winning streak. Stanley's season-high 20 points led all scorers. Additionally, Stanley ends the weekend putting her three-point percentage at 50.9 percent, which leads the KCAC and the sixth-highest total in the NAIA among players with 20 or more makes.

Setting a career-high with 18 points was Dyson, who also added four rebounds to her effort. Wright's 18 points, eight assists, two steals and three blocks gave her three-straight 15-point performances.

Wright has a steal in four-consecutive contests and multiple steals in three-straight. The junior also has at least one block during Avila's three-game winning streak.

During its three-game winning streak, the Eagles are outscoring their opponents 239-187 for a +62 point differential. 

Already just two wins shy of matching last season's win total, Avila will look to win its fourth-straight game on Wednesday as the team travels to St. Mary for a 5:30 tip against the Spires.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)