MACK LEADS MEN’S BASKETBALL TO HUGE WIN OVER BETHEL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A huge showdown with (RV) Bethel awaited Avila men's basketball on Saturday at Mabee Fieldhouse. With the Eagles jockeying for postseason position, Avila took care of business, defeating the Threshers, 81-75 thanks to 24 points from Gio Mack and a huge second-half.

The Threshers held a lead and momentum for the majority of the first half.

The two teams were tied at 19-19 midway through the opening 20 minutes. After grabbing the lead once Mack hit a pair of free throws, Bethel snatched the lead back and stretching it to as high as four.

A James Ross III layup at the 6:01 mark tied the game yet again, but Bethel outscored Avila 9-6 in the final six minutes and entered halftime with a 38-35 lead.

Redshirt freshman Logan Bishop got the crowd going right out of the half, tying the game at 38 with a three-pointer.

After a Joe Kearney three 90 seconds later to go up 43-40, Avila would not surrender the lead again and sent Bethel home with a loss.

Avila stretched its lead to as large as 14 with 5:36 remaining before Bethel made a bit of a comeback.

The Threshers would bring the score to within three late in the game, but Bishop sank a pair of free throws with nine seconds remaining to put the game on ice and give Avila the six-point win.

Avila went 18-of-20 from the foul line and dished out 14 assists to Bethel's five in the game.

Four of Avila's five starters scored in double-figures, led by 24, six rebounds and three steals from Mack.

Bishop had 14 points and a career-best five assists.

Down low, Xavier Kahube scored 13 and pulled down eight boards while Joe Kearney chipped in 10 points and four rebounds.

While only scoring four points, freshman BJ Boyd recorded four steals on the defensive end.

Avila is currently 14-10 with four regular season games remaining. 

The Eagles will look for revenge on St. Mary on Wednesday from Mabee Fieldhouse. Tipoff versus the Spires is slated for 7:30 PM.

(photo credit: Ali Nassir)