KCAC

[Men's Basketball] Eagles take down Men's Basketball Falcons, 64-52

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Avila University Eagles gained command in the first half and went on to a 64-52 win over the Friends University Falcons in KCAC action tonight (Jan. 13) in Kansas City, Mo.The Falcons held an early 10-9 lead when the Eagles made their push to take control.Both a three-point play and trey from Donte' Simpson along with a three by Dylan Deshazer fueled an 11-0 spurt by the Eagles that created a double-figure lead of 20-10 at the 11:20 mark of the opening half.Avila stayed on top for the duration of the stanza and built their biggest lead of 37-21 before scores from Tim Barbieri (JR/Abilene,Kan. ) and Alex Gray (FR) closed the deficit to 37-25 at the break.After the Eagles twice stretched the lead to 15 in the opening portion of the second half, a three by Drew Patterson (FR/Charlotte, NC) ignited a 12-2 burst for the Falcons that trimmed the Avila lead down to just five at 44-39 at the 11:15 mark.Adam Barbieri hit a three for Avila to halt the run by the Falcons prior to a trey by Jaylin Dinkins that expanded the lead back to double-figures with 8:51 left in the game.A three by Ian Konek (JR/Long Beach, Calif.) and a tip-in from Conner Kern kept the Falcons in it down seven at the 5:06 mark, but four straight points from Eric Smith, Jr. began a 9-2 run for the Eagles that doubled the lead back to 14 and put the game away.Reid hit 7-of-9 from the charity stripe and led the Falcons (6-13, 5-8 KCAC) with 12 points along with eight rebounds. Gray recorded his second career double-double with 10 points and 11 boards while Jordan Gary (FR/Decatur, Ga. ) pulled down a career-best 11 rebounds.Smith, Jr. paced the Eagles (8-11, 7-6 KCAC) with 18 points and eight boards while blocking four of the Eagles' 10 swats on the night.  Simpson added 15 points and seven rebounds, with Dinkins chipping in with 13 points. The Eagles also had 10 steals, led by Trey Heinrich's four thefts. Friends managed to outrebound Avila 46-32 overall and 14-6 on the offensive glass, but were hurt by 20 turnovers.The Falcons will next return home and host Bethany College Saturday afternoon (Jan. 15) starting at 4 pm inside the Garvey Center.