WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COMES UP JUST SHORT AGAINST NO. 22 EVANGEL

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Avila women's basketball narrowly missed pulling an upset against No. 22 Evangel on the road on Wednesday night, falling to the Valor, 72-71.

The Eagles got off to a hot start in the first quarter, jumping out to a 25-18 lead – 11 points coming from Madilyn Melton.

Evangel fought back in the second quarter, outscoring Avila by four to cut the Eagle halftime lead to three.

A low-scoring third quarter saw Avila lead by just one entering the final frame.

Melton got the final quarter off to a positive start, getting a rebound off a missed layup and laying it in to stretch Avila's lead to three.

From there, the Valor would go on a run to take their lead to as much as eight. Midway through the fourth, the Eagles went on a quick 5-0 run with points from Kathleen Stanley and Ashlyn Kuhlman.

As Evangel kept Avila at arm's length, extending its lead back to five with 100 seconds to go, it was Kuhlman again who cut into it with a layup as the clock went under 1:00.

With 51 seconds remaining, Avila trailed 72-69.

A great defensive stand by the Eagles on the ensuing possession – including a block by Kuhlman – gave Avila the ball back with a chance to tie.

Leading by three, the Valor fouled to put Marlie Wright at the line. Wright knocked down both free throws to bring it to within one with less than seven seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for Avila, they still had a pair of fouls to give before Evangel would head to the line. The Valor played keep-away for the remainder of the game and Avila was unable to get a potential buzzer-beater off to send the Eagles back to Kansas City with a narrow one-point loss to a top-25 opponent.

Kuhlman played one of the best games of her young collegiate career, scoring all nine of her points in the fourth quarter, including a huge block.

Additionally, Kylee Comstock had one of her best performances, contributing 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Nearing the 1,000-point mark in her senior season, Madilyn Melton led all scorers with 19 points and nine boards. Melton will enter Saturday's game just nine points away from her 1,000^th collegiate point. 

Avila is back at Mabee Fieldhouse on Saturday at 1 PM, taking on McPherson.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)