(FULTON, Mo., Nov. 1)--The William Woods University men's basketball team opened the 2010-11 season with a 77-67 loss to visiting Avila University Monday night. It was the season opener for the Eagles of Avila as well.

Avila took a 35-20 lead into the half. The Eagles shot 48% from the field in the first 20 minutes. The Owls shot 20% on six of 30 shooting.

WWU trailed by as many as 26 points in the second half. The Owls responded by going on a 33-15 run down the stretch to cut the lead to eight points with just under a minute remaining. William Woods could not close the gap any further.

Sophomore Logan Decker (Kansas City, Mo.) led the Owls with 18 points. Freshman Jonathon Nutt (Palmyra, Mo.) added 12 points in the loss. Sophomore Kelsey Bardell (Shape, Belgium) chipped in 10 points for WWU. Junior Adam Otto (Lake Ozark, Mo.) led the Owls with eight rebounds.

Avila University (1-0) shot 48% from the field in the win. William Woods (0-1) shot 40% from the field in the loss. AU outrebounded WWU 41-34.

William Woods will return to action on November 3. The Owls will travel to Central Methodist University for a 7:30 pm tip-off.