MEN’S BASKETBALL LOSES AT STERLING

STERLING, Kan. – Despite holding a halftime lead, Avila men's basketball fell to Sterling on Saturday afternoon, 89-76. Sterling's hot shooting from deep played an integral role in the contest, with the Warriors hitting 13 shots from three-point range.

Avila got off to a strong start in the first half and thanks to a buzzer-beating tip from James Ross III, the Eagles held a 39-37 lead entering the half.

The Eagles halftime lead was short-lived. Five minutes into the second half, Sterling would hit a three-pointer to take a two-point lead over Avila. From there, Sterling would not give the lead back.

However, Avila did not go down without a fight, clawing its way back to tie the game at 65 with less than six minutes remaining in the second half. Sterling would then end the game on a 24-11 run and go 14-of-15 from the foul line in the final four-and-a-half minutes to seal the game.

The outcome was a difference in styles of play, as Avila outscored Sterling 40-16 in the paint, but Sterling would hit seven more threes and make 17 more free throws – while also attempting 16 more than Avila – in the contest.

Ross finished the game with a season-high 24 points and was joined by 22 from Gio Mack.

Holding a 6-2 record, the Eagles will hit the road again and face Kansas Christian on Tuesday evening at 7 PM.

(photo credit: Ali Nassir)