WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LOSES TOUGH OT GAME TO OKWU

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila women's basketball was unable to snap its losing streak on Wednesday at Mabee Fieldhouse, as they fell to Oklahoma Wesleyan, 61-58 in overtime.

The game was sent to overtime thanks to a perfectly-executed out-of-timeout buzzer-beater by Anastasia Wright off a great assist from Brianne Kuhlman.

It was an extremely sloppy first half between the two teams as the conference rivals combined for just 18 first-quarter points and went to the halftime locker room with a 29-25 OKWU lead.

The second half was much more of a back-and-forth affair. Avila hung around for the entirety of the third quarter and went into the fourth on a 5-0 run.

OKWU didn't lead by more than four in the fourth quarter as Avila kept chipping away.

With just under three minutes remaining, Kathleen Stanley knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game at 48. Just over 30 seconds later, Madilyn Melton put the Eagles ahead with a layup to give Avila its first lead since the first quarter.

OKWU's Shade Richardson hit a jumper at the top of the key with three seconds remaining in regulation to give the visiting Eagles a two-point lead and force Remy Wolfe to call a timeout.

Wright's buzzer-beater forced overtime and she would knock down a layup off the fifth-quarter tipoff to give Avila a quick lead.

Unfortunately for Avila, Oklahoma Wesleyan hit a three-pointer with 31 seconds remaining in overtime to secure the win. Avila was unable to equalize and would extend their losing streak to three games.

Individually, Madilyn Melton picked up her third-straight double-double (13 points and 16 rebounds). Marlie Wright put up a solid 12-point, five-rebound, eight-assist night. Melton and Marlie Wright each added three steals to their night.

Avila (6-15, 6-9) will look to bounce back on Saturday against Friends. Tipoff from Mabee Fieldhouse is at 1 PM.