Eagles Compete in Exhibition at D2 Truman State

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Avila men's basketball played its second exhibition game of the season, making the trip into central Missouri to take on NCAA Division II foe Truman State on Sunday afternoon, where the Bulldogs (2-2) defeated the Eagles (1-3) by a final count of 92-62.

Truman State actually has a noted strong connection with Avila's other basketball program, but even still it was the Eagle men's team that made the trip to Kirksville to face their second of six NCAA foes on Sunday afternoon. Playing their second game against excellent opposition in almost exactly 24 hours, head coach Tyler Bredehoeft and his staff employed a heavy, balanced rotation: 15 different Eagles saw action in the game, and all of them played between eight and 20 minutes.

The Eagles did not shoot poorly by any means (around 33% both from the field and from downtown) but TSU was over 40% in both departments and won the rebounding battle by 19 and never trailed in the game: the Bulldogs scored the game's first points – a second-chance three-pointer – and started the game up 7-0 and never looked back.

Kobi Williams led all players with 23 points, 12 of which came off free throws, and Casen Lawrence scored 17 points off five made threes. Josh Kilpatrick led the Eagles with his best game of the season, 11 points and five rebounds in 17 minutes of work; Desmond Combs scored nine; Jaren Miller had eight and four with two steals; five other Eagles recorded at least four points.

Avila men's basketball will now have a little bit of a break for the Thanksgiving holiday before the Eagles return to action with two more exhibition matches next weekend. Avila will travel to Topeka to face Washburn on Saturday, November 25 at 2 PM, and then will face local D2 foes Rockhurst on Monday, November 27 and 7 PM. Details on how to watch and follow along will be posted on our website, avilaathletics.com, when they are available.