McPHERSON, Kan. — Four Eagles scored in double-figures Wednesday (Jan. 18), as the Avila University Eagles knocked off the McPherson College Bulldogs 68-66 inside the Sports Center.
Owen Braxmeyer finished with a career-high 14 rebounds to go with 18 points to notch his second double-double of the season.
After a slow start, the Bulldogs mounted a 14-5 lead midway through the opening frame, thanks to layups by Braxmeyer and a triple by Yaniel Vidal.
But the Eagles would not go away, as back-to-back threes helped them cut it to a two-point Bulldog advantage.
The Bulldogs pushed back with a 7-1 burst to grab the lead, but again the Eagles clawed back to tie the ballgame at 27-27 before another Vidal trey put the Bulldogs on top at the break.
After the half, it was the Eagles' turn to lead by nearly double digits, using a 13-1 run to take a 40-31 edge with 17:28 remaining.
The Bulldogs would regain the lead after a jumper by Braxmeyer, then used an 8-0 spurt of their own capped off by a three by Jamil Hardaway to lead 57-49 and force an Avila timeout.
The Eagles quickly knotted the game, then made enough plays down the stretch to hand the Bulldogs the loss.
Curtis Rose finished with 14 points for the Bulldogs (10-9, 5-8 KCAC), while Vidal added 13 points.
Tyree Kings led the Eagles (4-14, 3-10 KCAC) with 17 points, and Donte' Simpson finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bulldogs are back in action this Saturday (Jan. 21) as they travel to No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. in Bartlesville, Okla.
