Avila Outslugged by (9) Southwestern

WINFIELD, Kan. – Facing off against one of the best teams in the NAIA, Avila men's basketball (3-15, 2-13 KCAC) fared fairly well but ultimately could not contain the high-powered offense of (9) Southwestern (19-2, 13-2 KCAC) in a 97-71 victory for the Moundbuilders on Wednesday night.

The team that plays its home games in a town called Winfield is certainly used to winning games this season. Ranked the No. 9 team in the NAIA in the latest coaches' poll, the Builders sport a versatile offense and a deep bench, and both of those were on display Wednesday as Southwestern tried to keep paced with the Wesleyan teams – Kansas and Oklahoma – atop the KCAC against the Eagles.

Even though they're on opposite ends of the standings at the minute and even though Avila is still operating a couple of players short of a full arsenal, the Eagles held their own against one of the best teams in the NAIA, especially on offense. Avila shot exactly 40% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc, both solid numbers for the team this year.

There were a couple of problems, however: Southwestern shot exactly 50% from the field (37-of-74), assisted on almost exactly half of their made field goals (19) and more than doubled up Avila in the rebounding department. All of that combined to make it so the Builders could build up a lead that the Eagles could never overcome.

On the night in which he scored his 2,000^th point in a Southwestern uniform, Cevin Clark, the NAIA's top scorer, led all players with 28 points. Justin DeMaria scored 19 in 15 minutes off the bench, while Andrew O'Brien had one of his customary stellar all-around games with 10 points, seven rebounds and 13 assists. Christian Spalding led the Eagles with a career high 13 points; Matthew Boldt matched him with 13 points and also delivered a team high six assists; Robert Lee III also scored 12.

Up next, Avila men's basketball returns home to Mabee Fieldhouse to welcome Tabor, a team in the KCAC Tournament hunt, to town. The Avila women kick off the conference doubleheader at 2 PM with the men to follow at 4; 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.