Avila Topped by Tabor in Defensive Battle

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In a defensive showcase from both teams, Avila women's basketball (8-14, 7-9 KCAC) came up short against Tabor (18-4, 15-1 KCAC), one of the KCAC's top teams, falling 63-45 on Saturday afternoon in Mabee Fieldhouse.

Tabor is in a dead heat with Saint Mary for the top spot in the KCAC ahead of the conference tournament in just about a month from now, and the Bluejays showed exactly why they belong in the conversation as one of the league's best in this contest. The Bluejays typically allow their opponents to score under 60 points per game, and on this day, held Avila to only 45.

Tabor shot better than 50% from the field and over 45% from beyond the arc on the offensive side, and held Avila to only six bench points. The rebounding and turnover battles were both dead even, but the Eagles led only once in the game – Hannah Pinkston scored the game's first basket – and could not crack Tabor's defensive code. Avila's deficit was only 15-9 after the first quarter with both defenses playing well, but the Bluejays were able to hold serve for the entire game to keep the Eagles out of comeback range.

Alyvia Owens led the way for a typically balanced Tabor offense with 15 points, and two Bluejays scored ten points off the bench while Madie McCoy had yet another strong game against Avila with eight points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Pinkston paced the Eagles with ten points and seven rebounds, while Marlie Wright scored six points with a game high nine rebounds and three assists.

Up next, Avila women's basketball hits the road to take on York in Nebraska this Wednesday, February 7. The Eagles are eying the season sweep of the Panthers in a critical late season contest with only a half dozen games left in the year. The women kick off the doubleheader at 6 PM with the men to follow at 8; as always, you can watch all the action live and for free on the KCAC Network.