Eagles Fall to Spires on the Road

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – After a close first quarter, Saint Mary (16-10, 12-8 KCAC) began to seize control in the middle two frames, and the Spires ultimately cruised to a 72-51 victory over Avila (5-21, 5-15 KCAC) at home on Saturday night.

For much of the first ten minutes, things were dead even between the two local rivals. The game featured four ties and a couple of lead changes – but all of those occurred in the first few minutes. The shooting stats and just about all the auxiliary numbers favored the Spires, who began to take control of the game once the second quarter got going.

Saint Mary struck first Saturday when Paige Pendley converted her own miss with a putback, but the Eagles answered immediately with a bucket from Morgan Wiseman. Seconds later, London Foster picked off Daija Planas and set up Emily Baldwin for a transition bucket to give the Eagles their first lead. Kaytee Frasher restored that lead just past the six-minute mark of the first quarter and after Jerrica Johnson tied it Hannah Smith put the Eagles back in front with a jumper with about four minutes left.

But on the following possession, the Spires recorded a pair of offensive rebounds and ultimately set the table for a three-point play for Johnson, kickstarting a 9-0 run for USM. Foster set up Kayla Navy for an important bucket to stem the tide and keep the Eagles within 15-10 after ten minutes, but the Spires were just getting started.

Smith hit a three a minute into the second quarter to get Avila within 17-13, but that was as close as the Eagles would get: Saint Mary outscored Avila 21-10 in the second quarter and even though Avila erupted for 20 points – aided by 12 made free throws – in the fourth quarter the damage had already been done: Saint Mary prevailed 72-51.

Four Spires scored in double figures, led by Alex Specht who scored 13 points along with 11 rebounds and a whopping seven blocks. Both Pendley and Johnson finished with 11. Emily Baldwin led the Eagles with 10 points, and both Daisy Washington and Grace Effertz had eight off the bench.

Up next, Avila women's basketball returns home for a pair of games inside Mabee Fieldhouse to close the 2022-23 season. Avila will first welcome Sterling to Kansas City on Wednesday, February 15 for a doubleheader that will now begin at 5 PM due to expected weather in central Kansas on Wednesday night. Avila basketball is hosting its annual Pink Out night, meaning the first 100 fans in attendance will receive a special pink shirt in honor of Valentine's Day. And as always, you can watch all the action live on the Avila Sports Network.