SLOW FIRST HALF HINDERS AVILA AS MEN’S BASKETBALL LOSES TO OKWU

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A fourth-straight loss hit Avila men's basketball on Wednesday as the Eagles fell to Oklahoma Wesleyan, 84-70.

Avila was outscored 40-30 in the first half as the team only shot 31 percent from the floor and 4-of-13 from three-point range.

The home Eagles put up a fight in the second half, but seemingly every time Avila would cut it close, OKWU went on a run to extend its lead.

Foul trouble hurt Avila's chances of a comeback as five Avila players had four or more fouls in the contest.

Oklahoma Wesleyan won the game down low and off the bench, as they outscored Avila 34-22 in the paint and outrebounding the home club 39-27. OKWU's bench outscored the Avila reserves 35-17 and the visitors put up 12 second chance points compared to Avila's four.

George Williams III had a big game, scoring 21 points with the help of four makes from behind the arc. Xavier Kahube put up his fifth double-double of the campaign, contributing 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Avila will look to get back in the win column on Saturday afternoon versus Friends at 3 PM at Mabee Fieldhouse.