TOUGH SECOND HALF GIVES MEN’S BASKETBALL LOSS TO MCPHERSON

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Another rough second half and 18 total turnovers gave Avila men's basketball an 85-70 loss to McPherson at Mabee Fieldhouse on Saturday.

The Eagles played well in the first half, trading baskets back-and-forth with the Bulldogs. Neither team led by more than four in the opening 20 minutes as the teams entered halftime with McPherson holding a 42-41 lead.

The game between the KCAC rivals saw 13 lead changes and eight ties throughout the game before the Bulldogs pulled away late in the second half.

With 13:15 remaining in the second half, Avila held a 59-55 lead before McPherson went on an 8-0 run. The eight unanswered points in that five-minute stretch gave the Bulldogs the momentum to continue to extend their lead and not look back.

Avila had untimely turnovers throughout the second half that did away with any potential comeback opportunities.

McPherson pulled away thanks to 10 made threes and 20 points off Avila turnovers.

With 20 points, Blessing Nwotite led the Eagles, while Gio Mack put up 18 points and eight boards on the afternoon. 

Avila will look to get back to its winning ways on Wednesday at home, taking on York at 7:30.

 (photo credit: Ixtla Banda)