HIGH-POWERED SECOND HALF PROPELS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TO THIRD-STRAIGHT WIN

McPHERSON, Kan. – For the first time since the 2021-22 season, Avila women's basketball has won three-straight games, thanks to a 73-52 win over McPherson on Saturday afternoon.

A very close first half paved the way for a 50-point second half to propel Avila to the 21-point win on the road.

The Eagles shot just 3-of-14 from the floor in the first quarter, but turned an eight-point deficit early in the second quarter into a tie game in the span of six game minutes and eventually entered halftime trailing by just one.

Out of the halftime locker room is where Avila really turned it on.

Five-plus points by Hannah Smith, Marlie Wright, Madilyn Melton and Brianne Kuhlman saw Avila outscore their conference rivals 25-12 in the third quarter. What was a one-point halftime deficit turned into a 12-point lead in just 10 minutes.

The Eagles put the game away in the fourth quarter with another 25-point effort. Avila shot 64/60/100 in the final quarter. Avila's defense played an equal part late in the game, forcing five fourth-quarter turnovers and holding McPherson to just 2-of-12 from behind the arc in the second half.

Avila dominated the game down low, outrebounding McPherson 43-24 and putting up 30 points in the paint. The defense was swarming, helping the offense put up 30 points off turnovers.

Individually, Marlie Wright (17) led Avila in scoring for the third time in the last five games and had a big defensive performance, pulling down six rebounds and nabbing an astonishing six steals.

With 12 points, Madilyn Melton was one rebound away from her second-consecutive double-double.

Additionally, the Avila bench totaled 22 points and 15 rebounds in the effort,

Avila will look to make it four-straight on Wednesday at York. Tipoff is slated for 6 PM.