Threshers Edge Eagles in Close Contest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Despite one of the strongest performances from the Eagles so far this season, Bethel (2-5, 1-2 KCAC) was just slightly better where it counted most, in the fourth quarter, and the Threshers were able to escape Mabee Fieldhouse with a slim 62-56 victory over Avila (1-6, 1-2 KCAC) on Tuesday evening.

Avila's third home game of the season was about as even as possible: the game featured eight ties and six lead changes, and neither team ever led by double digits. Bethel held a slim edge in shooting and rebounding and the Threshers possessed the game's largest lead, but the Eagles were right there in the game the entire time thanks to a strong effort over the middle 20 minutes. The game was deadlocked going the fourth quarter, but that's where the Threshers did enough to win, outscoring Avila by six in the final frame to earn the win.

On the heels of a difficult loss over the weekend, Avila women's basketball returned home on Tuesday and looked locked in. The Eagles were sluggish in the first quarter for the second straight game, managing only seven points over the first 10 minutes, but Avila then erupted for 22 in the second quarter to move back to within 30-29 at the intermission.

That surge came in the latter half of the quarter, once Bethel had built its largest lead, 24-15, with 5:50 to go. The Eagles then rallied to score the next nine points, tying the game when London Foster stole the ball and set up Hannah Smith for an equalizing three-pointer. Two deep balls from Jaycee Freshour gave Bethel the lead at the break, but a three from Smith followed by an Emily Baldwin layup put the Eagles in front early in the third quarter.

For the rest of the quarter, the game was dead even. Daisy Washington hit a pair of free throws in the final minute of the period to send the game tied at 45 heading into the fourth. But after the Eagles did well to battle back, that's where the Threshers regained the control they grabbed early in the game: Bethel scored five points in the first minute of the fourth quarter, and Avila was never able to recover. The Eagles climbed all the way back to within a pair when Foster set up Kayla Navy for a cutting layup, but Freshour put the finishing touches on an excellent performance by hitting four foul shots in the final minute to provide the final margin in a tight 62-56 win for Bethel.

Freshour led all players with 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Jasmine Peete was a difference maker inside and finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Foster had an excellent all-around game for the Eagles, leading Avila with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, along with eight boards, six assists and two steals, all team highs. Smith and Navy each scored 10 points for the Eagles.

Up next for Avila women's basketball following the Thanksgiving break is a short trip east for a non-conference game against NCAA Division II side Missouri Western this Saturday, November 26. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 PM with the men's game to follow; check out avilaathletics.com for details on how to watch and follow along.