WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College is back at Stewart Field House on Saturday looking to get on track in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play when it hosts Avila University at 3 p.m.
The Moundbuilders enter at 5-3 overall and 1-3 in the KCAC. Avila is 7-3 overall and 2-2 in league play.
Southwestern returns home after a narrow loss at Ottawa. The Builders led most of the first half Wednesday and took a 41-34 advantage into the break after closing the period on a 9-2 run. Ottawa answered early in the second half to take a 49-45 lead with 15 minutes left, but Southwestern responded and went back in front 57-51 with 11 minutes to play. The game tightened in the final minutes, and Ottawa's late surge pushed the Braves to a 73-71 win.
Wyatt Bell led Southwestern with 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Zach Hidalgo posted 11 points and 16 rebounds. Evan Barber added 12 points and four assists, Nigel John finished with 10 points and six rebounds, and Austin Hilton scored 12 points off the bench.
Avila is led by guard Gio Mack, who averages 19.0 points, 4.7 assists and a team-best 7.4 rebounds per game. Forward Xavier Kahube follows at 17.9 points per contest and adds 2.6 assists per game.
The Builders have won the last two meetings in the series. Southwestern took a 74-70 road win over Avila in the most recent matchup and followed with a 79-71 home victory to complete a sweep. Southwestern will try to extend that run Saturday, while Avila looks to flip the recent results and pick up a league road win.
