MEN’S BASKETBALL PICKS UP OT WIN TO START CONFERENCE PLAY

LINDSBORG, Kan. – It took an extra period, but Avila men's basketball opened up KCAC play on Saturday afternoon with a 79-76 overtime win at Bethany behind 26 points from Xavier Kahube.

The win marks the first time the Eagles have won their conference opener since the 2021-22 season.

Avila overcame 10-point deficit late in the first half to and pick up their second-straight win despite never leading by more than four points the entire game.

The second half was tightly-contested, with neither team leading by more than six.

Trailing by seven with 4:24 remaining, the Eagles ended regulation on a 12-6 run – with all points coming from Kahube and Joe Kearney.

Kahube's made hook shot in the paint as time was expiring forced overtime.

In overtime, Kahube had six of Avila's eight points to lead the Eagles to the win.

Four of Avila's five starters scored in double-figures while three different Eagles picked up five or more rebounds.

Kahube, Kearney and Brionne Williams were the stars for Avila.

Kearney, the junior guard from Minneapolis put up 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting from behind the arc and added two steals and two blocked shots.

Williams added 16 points and five rebounds of his own while shooting nearly 90 percent from the floor.

Kahube put up 26 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals to his night.

The Eagles return to the court on Wednesday as they travel to Springfield, Mo., to take on the Evangel Valor at 7:30 PM.

(photo credit: Brayden Cook).