Avila Falls to Tabor Despite Hot Start

HILLSBORO, Kan. – Withstanding a hot start from Madilyn Melton and Avila, Tabor (4-4, 1-2 KCAC) excelled in the second and fourth quarters and ultimately cruised past the Eagles (1-7, 1-2 KCAC) by a final score of 80-53 on Wednesday evening in Hillsboro.

It was the Eagles' first action against a conference foe since their impressive home victory over Southwestern about 10 days prior, and despite the time away from KCAC play the Eagles looked very sharp in the first quarter on Wednesday against the Bluejays, considered by most to be one of the KCAC's preseason title favorites.

Undaunted at first by the task in front of them, Avila more than kept pace with Tabor over the opening ten minutes. It was clear early on that forward Madilyn Melton would be a crucial part of the Eagle offense, and Avila set her up for midrange jumper after midrange jumper to repeatedly supply the visitors with critical points as the two teams exchanged shot for shot in the first quarter. Tabor made the first big push to go up 13-6 halfway through the period, but the Eagles erased that with a three-pointer from Abrianna Leiker and two jumpers from Melton. Melton then buried a three with a minute left to give the Eagles a brief lead before Eireon Adams delivered a rare, clutch three of her own in the final 30 seconds to give Avila a 19-17 lead after ten minutes of play.

Tabor was clearly dissatisfied with the way the first quarter transpired, and the Bluejays came out firing to start the second, scoring ten points in about two minutes and holding Avila off the scoreboard until Morgan Wiseman hit from close range with less than three minutes left to play.

Tabor carried a 38-25 lead into halftime and though Avila punched back with a strong third quarter in which the Eagles once again outscored the Bluejays, this time by one, to make it a 12-point game going into the fourth, Tabor did more than enough in the fourth quarter to fend off any hopes of an Avila comeback and win the game 80-53.

The Bluejays are perennially known for their balanced scoring and elite shooting, and that's exactly what they provided on Wednesday: four Bluejays finished in double figure scoring for a team that shot 57% from the field, though the Eagles did hold them to a below-average 33% from beyond the arc. Melton paced all players with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting; Marlie Wright scored ten points with seven rebounds and four assists, both of which were team highs.

Up next, Avila women's basketball returns to Mabee Fieldhouse for Avila's second home KCAC doubleheader of the 2023-24 campaign. It's Alumni Day and also Ugly Christmas Sweater Day at Mabee, and the owner of the best (worst) sweater has a chance to win a cash prize courtesy of Avila Athletics. The Avila women will tip off the doubleheader against York at 1 PM with the men to follow at 3; as always, you can watch all the action live and for free on the Avila Sports Network with Joe Van Amburg on the call from Kansas City.