KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The York University women's basketball team lost a 78-66 decision at Avila Wednesday evening.
 
 The Panthers are now 6-14 on the season, including 1-12 in KCAC action.
 
Head coach Corinna Minjarez's squad was led by Destiny Shepherd's 19-point performance. Monique Contreras tallied 13 points while Alesia Rand added 10. Lawson Hilton and Alliyana Page added nine points apiece. Olivia Adams added six markers. Rand snagged seven boards and had a pair of blocks while Contreras posted three steals. 
 
An early bucket by Shepherd gave the visitors a 5-2 edge. Yareli Gomez found Hiltl for a shot from deep for an 8-4 margin. Down 15-8, Shepherd netted six straight points, pulling the Panthers within one at 15-14. 
 
Trailing 25-16, Page hit a lay-up. Contreras found Rand for a basket, making it 25-20. Contreras hit a three-ball and made a lay-up, pulling the visitors within three, 28-25, at the 3:29 mark. With the score at 38-28, Adams scored the final four points of the half, bringing the Panthers within six, 38-32. 
 
Facing a 49-35 deficit, Contreras connected on a three-ball off a pass from Alliyana Page. Contreras found Shepherd for a lay-up and Rand's jumper made it 49-42. Rand hit another basket before Page's lay-up sliced the deficit to three, 49-46. Shepherd made it 51-50 at the 1:21 mark of the third quarter before Avila took a 54-52 lead entering the fourth frame. 
 
Avila managed to net the first six points of the final period and the Panthers were unable to get any closer the rest of the way.
 
For the game, York hit 27-of-62 from the field, including eight-of-27 from downtown. The squad grabbed 27 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass. The Panthers dished out 16 assists and had 11 steals. York scored 23 points off turnovers and netted 36 in the lane. 
 
The Panthers return to action Saturday when they host Ottawa at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.