HUGE FOURTH QUARTER PROPELS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TO WIN OVER BETHEL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Looking to stop their four-game losing streak, Avila women's basketball used a huge come-from-behind second half to pick up a win on their home court over Bethel on Friday night, 66-59.

An ice-cold shooting effort in the first quarter did not hinder the Eagles mindset for the remaining three quarters. Avila put up a stronger effort in the second quarter and trailed by just six heading into halftime.

After battling foul trouble in the last game, Madilyn Melton put up nine points and six rebounds in the first half to keep the Eagles in the contest.

A closely-contested third quarter paved the way for Avila to enter the final 10 minutes with a win in their sights.

Avila outscored Bethel 21-7 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Trailing by seven entering the last quarter, Avila got off to a 14-2 run to take its first lead of the game with 5:37 remaining in regulation.

The Eagles used solid free throw shooting and five big fourth-quarter rebounds from Melton as well as holding Bethel to just 20 percent shooting from the field to secure the win.

In one of her biggest offensive games of the season, Marlie Wright led all players in scoring – putting up 23 points with five rebounds and five assists. It was Wright's third 20-point game of the season. Seventeen of Wright's 23 points came in the second half.

Melton's 13 points and 13 boards got her her third double-double of the season.

Avila outshot Bethel from the field, three-point arc and free throw line, helping the team pick up its third win of the 2024-25 season.

The Eagles return to the court on Wednesday at Ottawa before coming back to Mabee Fieldhouse on Jan. 11 to take on Kansas Wesleyan.