SIX DOUBLE-DIGIT SCORERS LEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL TO WIN AT OTTAWA

OTTAWA, Kan. – Avila men's basketball got back in the win column on Wednesday evening, defeating Ottawa, 86-70.

The Eagles got off to a strong start after the opening tip, leading by double-figures within the first eight minutes of play. Avila led by 13 with just under three minutes until half, before Ottawa ended the first half on a 10-0 run to cut Avila's lead to 37-34 after the first 20.

Avila came out of the locker rooms in the second half looking to put the game away early. Much like the first half, the Eagles opened with a hot start, extending its lead to as high as 20 at the 10:25 mark.

Avila kept Ottawa at a distance for the remainder of the half, wrapping the game up early in the second. The Eagles lead would never drop below 13 for final 10 minutes.

Forty of Avila's 86 points came in the paint against Ottawa and the Eagles also recorded 25 bench points.

Joe Kearney led Avila with 15 points. Xavier Kahube filled up his stat sheet, putting up 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Gio Mack (14), BJ Boyd (13). Blessing Nwotite and James Ross (11 each) also added to Avila's final score.

The win was Avila's 13^th of the season, the program's fourth-highest win total in the last 20 seasons and its most wins in a season since 2015-16. 

Avila will wrap up the home portion of its regular season with three consecutive games at Mabee Fieldhouse, beginning with Bethel on Saturday at 3 PM.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)