MEN’S BASKETBALL LOSES 4OT HEARTBREAKER AT YORK

YORK, Neb. – In a nearly three-hour game on Wednesday night in Nebraska, Avila men's basketball lost in four overtimes to York, 92-88.

A game that could not have been more evenly-contested during regulation saw more of the same in 20 extra minutes of basketball.

Avila held a 26-22 lead at halftime, before York chipped away with a 33-29 second-half performance to force overtime with the teams deadlocked at 55.

An eight-point Avila lead just before halftime was the largest lead by either team in the game.

After York knocked down a three-pointer with 43 seconds remaining in the first overtime, George Williams missed a three of his own that sent the teams to overtime No. 2.

Avila started the second overtime period on an 8-2 run, but York kept clawing its way back. A six-point Avila lead with 2:40 remaining saw the Panthers end the second overtime on an 8-2 run of their own thanks to two makes from behind the arc in the final 90 seconds.

The third overtime period was much quieter, with tired legs forcing just five points from each squad. After a Jordan Majeed made layup with 26 seconds left in the third overtime, Chris Dixon of York knocked down a three-pointer with nine seconds on the clock to force the astonishing fourth overtime period.

With Xavier Kahube fouling out in the third overtime and Jehoida Goins picking up his fifth foul in the fourth, Avila needed a deep bench to keep themselves in the game.

After two missed threes from Avila to start overtime No. 4, York knocked down a jumper before the Eagles Josh Kilpatrick hit a three-pointer – his first points of the night in just eight minutes of action – to put Avila ahead by one with 3:45 left in 4OT.

Back-and-forth possessions preceded a Joe Kearney layup with 50 seconds to go put Avila back ahead by one, 88-87. From there, the Panthers went 5-6 from the foul line to put the game away to its eventual 92-88 final.

Kearney led Avila with 24 points, including five three-pointers, in the losing effort. Williams also chipped in with 14 from the starting lineup. Off the bench, Majeed (17 and 10) and Xavier Kahube (15 and 10) added double-doubles.

In the end, there were 17 ties and 20 lead changes in the 60 minutes of basketball as Avila came up just short in the marathon affair.

Avila (9-9, 6-7) will look to get back on track on Saturday at Southwestern.