Avila Drops Non-Con Contest at Baker

BALDWIN CITY, Mo. – Playing in their final non-conference contest before KCAC action kicks off later this week, Avila men's basketball (1-4) dropped its fourth game in a row to a former Heart of America Conference opponent, falling to Baker (4-1) 92-60 on the road on Monday night.

After the Eagles' impressive, exciting rally to defeat Missouri Valley in their season opener, Avila's last four games against out-of-conference teams have all followed similar scripts, and, ultimately, they have all resulted in losses. Baker is off to a strong start in 2022, and the Wildcats were good once again Monday, handily leading Avila in shooting, rebounding, and assists, and never trailing in the game.

In fact, the Wildcats led for almost the entire game. Baker scored first before Avila fired back a minute later courtesy of Jaylin Dinkins, but Quentin Harvey scored the following five points for the Wildcats and the Eagles were never able to answer. Baker led by 17 at the intermission and ultimately stretched that lead out to 92-60 after 40 minutes.

Harvey tied for the Baker lead with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting; Jalen Patterson also scored 17 on 6-of-17 shooting with three steals. Dinkins led the Eagles with 17 points, anchored by a 7-of-8 showing from the foul line; DJ Pitia and Brandon Johnson combined for 25 points and nine boards.

Up next, Avila men's basketball will enter conference play this week, starting KCAC action with a tough test against McPherson. Both Eagle teams will be in action for the first time at home this season for the first KCAC doubleheader of the campaign, starting with the Eagle women against McPherson at 6 PM and the men to follow at 8. Admission is priced at $8 for visiting fans; as always, you can watch all the action on the Avila Sports Network with Joe Van Amburg on the call from Mabee Fieldhouse.