Avila Can't Surpass #4 Southwestern

WINFIELD, Kan. – Avila men's basketball fared fairly well in the early stages, but the offense of No. 4 Southwestern (16-2, 10-2 KCAC) was too strong, especially in the second half, enabling the Moundbuilders to take down the Eagles (3-14, 2-10 KCAC) 92-68 on Saturday afternoon in Winfield.

Southwestern entered the first and only regular season matchup between these two teams fresh off just its second loss of the season to Kansas Wesleyan earlier in the week. Perhaps ready to seize upon that opening, the Eagles gave the Moundbuilders a strong effort for the first 10-plus minutes Saturday before SC steadily pulled away.

Both teams shot north of 40% from the field in the game but Southwestern was superior in rebounding, assisting, and free throw shooting. Avila won the points off the bench battle, but the key difference came in the second half, where the Eagles still shot well above their average at 47% from the field, but the Moundbuilders shot a blistering 64%, which never allowed the Eagles a chance to rally.

It was a strong start for the Eagles against one of the best teams not only in the KCAC but in the NAIA. The game featured three ties and seven lead changes, but all of those came early before SC finally assumed control and kept a lead. Avila scored on each of its first three offensive possessions to grab an early 6-5 lead, but a hot start from top SC scorer Cevin Clark kept the home team right in the game.

Trailing 11-7, Tyree King set up Jaylin Dinkins for a three before knocking down one of his own, putting Avila back in front 13-11 with 14 minutes to play. The game started to turn after Southwestern hit four straight free throws to take a 15-13 lead – Craig Jordan would tie it back up again at 15 with about 12 minutes to play, but Southwestern scored the next six points to seize control.

Avila called a timeout almost exactly at the midway point of the first half to try to stem the tide, but while the Avila defense improved from that point on the offense scuffled until the final four minutes, when Donte' Simpson and Dinkins both drained threes to get Avila back to within 11. Still, Southwestern finished the first half up by 16, and Avila was never able to make any headway against a lethal SC offense in the second half. The Builders led by as many as 30 and prevailed 92-68.

On a night when he was honored for scoring 1,000 career points, Clark added 34 more by hitting eight three-pointers to lead all scorers. Deng Bol also scored 19, while Andrew O'Brien had a double-double in assists and rebounds. Dinkins was excellent off the bench, scoring a team-high 23 points (60% from the field, 70% from the line), and Jordan added 13 in his second straight solid showing since joining the lineup.

Up next, Avila men's basketball returns to the road to face the McPherson Bulldogs this Wednesday, January 18. Tipoff for the women's game is currently scheduled for 6 PM with the men's game to follow at 8; as always, you can watch all the action on the KCAC Network, and get game updates live on Twitter.