(FULTON, Mo., Feb. 24)--The 18th-ranked William Woods University women's basketball team defeated visiting Missouri Baptist University Thursday night in Anderson Arena. The Owls won the American Midwest Conference game 82-68. Thursday night was Senior Night at William Woods. This year's senior class included Rachel Baker, Jill Sutton, Jestine Gerber, Sarah Eagan and Laken Enochs.

The Owls scored 48 points in the opening half to take a 23-point lead over the Spartans. William Woods shot 48.4% in the first half.

Missouri Baptist rallied late in the second half and cut the lead to 12 points (76-64) with two minutes remaining. Jill Sutton (Warrensburg, Mo.) hit a three-pointer with 1:31 remaining to push the lead back to 15 points and secure the victory.

Rachel Baker (Mexico, Mo.) led the Owls with 20 points. Baker was 8-for-17 from the field and 4-for-4 from the foul line.

Miranda Loesch (Lohman, Mo.) and Sutton each scored 14 points in the win. Loesch led the Owls with nine rebounds. Jestine Gerber (Jefferson City, Mo.) also reached double-figures in the win. Gerber finished the night with 10 points.

MBU (14-12, 9-6) shot 43.3% from the field in the loss. WWU (27-2, 14-1) shot 42.4% from the field in the win. The Spartans outrebounded the Owls 42-35.

William Woods will return to action on Saturday. The Owls travel to 15th-ranked Columbia College. Tip-off is at 2 pm in Columbia, Mo. A William Woods victory would tie the Owls and Cougars atop the final AMC standings.