KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The York University men's basketball team lost an 82-69 contest at Avila Wednesday evening.

The Panthers are now 7-19 overall, including 4-17 in KCAC action.

Chris Dixon led the way with 15 points and six rebounds while Eli Nutting connected for 14 points. DJ Leaks added 12 points while Devin Carroll netted nine points. Rhino Hernandez chipped in six points while Dylan Holston added five.

Head coach Tree Burks' team jumped out to a 6-0 lead after back-to-back three-point buckets from Carroll. The back-and-forth game saw York take a 19-18 lead on a lay-up by Holston.

Down 29-19, Dixon hit a pair of free throws. Amari Haynes found Nutting for a three-point shot before a charity toss by Carl Thorpe Jr., hit a free throw to pull within four, 29-25, with 4:25 to play in the half.

Trailing 31-25, Dixon netted five straight points before a jumper by the home team made it 33-30 at the break.

Avila held a 44-33 lead before Holston converted a lay-up. The home team went on a run to take a 58-37 lead before DJ Leaks made a lay-up. Holston found Nutting for a three-point bucket with 8:40 to play.

The home team slowly built a 20-point advantage with 5:11 to play before the Panthers cut into the deficit. Facing an 80-58 deficit, Nutting canned a three-ball. Leaks made a pair of free throws to make it 80-63.  York scored the last six points of the game for the final tally.

For the game, York hit 20-of-53 from the floor, including 11-of-28 from downtown. The Panthers nailed 18-of-22 from the charity stripe. The visitors grabbed 32 rebounds and dished out 12 assists.

The Panthers return to action Saturday when they host Bethel College at 3 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.