WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern jumped out to an early lead and leaned on efficient scoring and strong defense to take a 37-28 advantage over Avila at halftime on Saturday. However, the game turned into a back-and-forth battle in the second half as both teams made their adjustments.
Evan Barber was unstoppable for the Builders, leading all scorers with 16 points first half points on 5-of-7 shooting, including four three-pointers. And the biggest one came with only 1.7 seconds remaining in the first half as Barber swhished a logo three pointer to g into the half.
Trey Abasolo finished with a double-double, 22 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds and dishing out five assists. But he had 12 first half points on a perfect 5-5 shooting and six rebounds. Abasolo's relentless offensive rebounding and shot selection helped keep Avila at bay.
On the other side, Joe Kearney led Avila's efforts with 10 points, including a strong start in the first five minutes, scoring five of Avila's first 13 points. Kearney's aggressive defense kept the Golden Eagles within striking distance, but offensive struggles plagued the team, with no other player scoring more than six points in the first half.
Xavier Kahube, a key offensive threat for Avila, was held to just six points as Zach Hidalgoand the Southwestern defense zeroed in on him, limiting his scoring opportunities. Despite their struggles, Avila showed glimpses of potential with contributions from Robert Lee III (4 points) and George Williams (2 points).
Southwestern's defensive focus was apparent, holding all of Avila's players to single-digit scoring while forcing tough shots and key turnovers. Their ability to stick to the scouting report and make stops proved crucial in keeping the Golden Eagles at bay.
Southwestern continued to be a threat from behind the arc in the second half, connecting on three additional three-pointers that stretched their lead to as much as 10 points midway through the final period. Abasolo was unstoppable in the second half, scoring from both the field and behind the arc as he maintained his dominant presence with sharp shooting and hustle plays. His effort gave Southwestern a strong offensive rhythm throughout the 2nd Half.
Avila fought back with determination, fueled by Kahube, who found his offensive stride despite earlier struggles. Kahube managed to score 19 points by the game's end while pulling in seven rebounds and providing a vital scoring punch. Additionally, Kearney added 12 points to keep the Golden Eagles in the fight.
With about five minutes remaining in the game, Avila managed to cut the lead to just two points, creating a tense moment for the Builders. However, Southwestern showed resilience and executed key defensive stops to stymie Avila's rally and secure the victory.
Southwestern finished the game with balanced scoring, led by Abasolo with 22 points and Barber with 22 points, while the team shot 94% from the free-throw line (17-of-18), which proved vital in the closing moments.
Avila, despite their strong second-half effort, struggled with perimeter shooting (only 4-of-21 from three) and free-throw inconsistencies down the stretch.
Southwestern secured the win with a final score of 74-70, marking a pivotal performance as they maintained defensive intensity and efficient scoring throughout the second half. They now look to build on this momentum as they continue their season, while Avila will aim to regroup and find ways to generate offensive consistency moving forward.
