HUGE GIO MACK THREE GIVES MEN’S BASKETBALL BIG WIN OVER STERLING

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A game that featured 18 lead changes and six ties came down to the wire on Saturday night. On an evening that began by honoring five of its seniors, it was a junior, Gio Mack, who hit the game-winner.

The two KCAC rivals played a close first half.

In a three-minute stretch beginning at the nine-minute mark, Avila went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by threes from Mack and James Ross III.

The Eagles would end the half on an 18-8 run to head into the half holding a 45-38 lead.

Xavier Kahube had a big first half, scoring 12 and pulling down six rebounds in just 10 minutes on the court.

Avila held a lead for the first 10 minutes of the second half before the Warriors cut into the lead and eventually snatched control.

At the 9:35 mark, Sterling went ahead 56-55 and the two programs would alternate leads on the ensuing three possessions.

For the next remainder of the game, neither squad would lead by more than four.

Trailing 71-67 with 3:08 remaining, Mack knocked down his first crunch time shot from distance to cut the deficit to one.

Four lead changed between the two teams occurred over the next three minutes.

Following a Sterling layup with 39 seconds to go, Avila set up its offense and it ran through Mack.

With the clock ticking down and just 20 seconds remaining, Mack knocked down an enormous three from the elbow to put the Eagles ahead, 78-76.

With the Mabee Fieldhouse crowd on its feet and Sterling looking to at least tie the game, the Warriors stepped on the sideline, giving the ball back to Avila.

Mack knocked down two free throws to put the game on ice and give Avila an enormous KCAC win with the season winding down.

Mack finished with 26 points with five made threes off the bench. Kahube notched another double-double with 20 and 10.

The win tonight was Avila's 15^th of the season, its third-highest total in the last 20 years. 

Avila has two games remaining in the regular season, traveling to York on Wednesday and ending the regular season at Tabor on Feb. 21.

 (photo credit: Ixtla Banda)