Box Score COLUMBIA, Mo.— After leading by nine points at the end of the first half, the William Woods men's basketball team couldn't fend off the No. 18 ranked Culver-Stockton College Wildcats in the second half, as the Owls fell 93-81 in their first of two games of the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic at Columbia College.
The Owls (1-9; 0-1 AMC) and Wildcats (10-1; 1-1 HAAC), went back and forth early in the first half, but it was WWU taking control at the 10:32 mark, as
Nate Bitner hit a three-pointer, giving the team a 23-21 advantage.
"He (Bitner) was very smart when he chose to shoot the three and when to penetrate," said head coach
Nick Totta. "Bitner also did a good job faking his shot attempts to keep them (Culver-Stockton) off balance all game around the basket," he added.
The team continued to hold a marginal lead over the Wildcats, until for the first time in the game, the Owls held a double-digit lead at 44-33 with 4:35 remaining, after
Matt Helle hit both of his free throws.
William Woods were up 12 points with .42 seconds left, but CJ Adams spoiled the Owls heading to the locker room with a double-digit lead, as Adams hit a three-pointer with .13 seconds left, however, WWU was still ahead by nine points at 53-42 when the horn sounded.
The Owls played a very strong first half, only having three turnovers, shot 48 percent from the field and got to the free throw line 15 times, making 12 shots from the charity stripe. Bitner led the team after a stellar 20:00 minutes of play, having 13 points, while Mario Gulley also netted 13 for the Wildcats.
In the second half, C-SC came out hot from the floor, going on a 10-1 run in just 2:00 minutes and were able to tie game up at 53-53 after Johnnie Mills hit a three-pointer.
The two teams again continued to trade baskets and lead changes for the next 14:00 minutes, but the Wildcats still held a one point lead against the Owls at 74-73. Then, after a steal by Bitner,
Patrick Lewis came down the floor and made his two point basket, giving the team a 75-74 lead with 4:28 left in regulation.
"PJ (Lewis) did an excellent job attacking them defensively off the dribble, getting to the rim and drawing fouls," said Totta.
On the next C-SC possession, Mills was fouled on his shot attempt and was able to make both of his free throws, pushing the Wildcats back ahead with a 76-75 advantage.
The Owls, however, struck again on their next possession, this time it was
Seth Thomas hitting a three-pointer and handing the lead back on the WWU side at 78-76. The lead, however, was short-lived, as Gulley nailed his shot from the three point arc, making it a 79-78 Culver-Stockton lead with 3:35 left in regulation.
WWU was able to tie the game for the seventh time at 79-79, after Thomas went one of two from the free throw line, but that would be the final tie of the game, as the Wildcats closed out the game on a 14-2 run and escaped from the Owls with a 93-81 win.
After an impressive first half, the Owls went cold from the floor in the final 20:00 minutes, making just 28 percent (8-for-28) of its shots, while Culver-Stockton shot 52 percent (16-for-31) from the field.
"We did a nice job for the most part executing the game plan throughout most of the game," said Totta. "But, we went through some slow spurts in the second half and that was the difference in the game for us. When you play a talented defensive team like Culver-Stockton, and don't play like you want on either side of the ball, you are going to have a tough sit," he added. "Their isn't much margin for error against a team like that."
The Owls ended up shooting 38 percent in the game, led by Lewis and Bitner, who both scored a career high 20 points. Helle was the third Owl in double-figures, having 13 points and grabbing down six rebounds.
The Wildcats shot 46 percent from the floor in the game, led by Gulley totaling 29 points (11-for-17) and nine rebounds. Mills was a threat off the bench, totaling 16 points, while Jalen Jarrett (12), Adams (11) and Johnson (11) were the final C-SC to reach double-figures in points.
The Owls will look to snap its six game losing streak tomorrow afternoon in the finale of the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic against Avila University. Tip-off will start at 4:00 p.m.
Fans should stay updated throughout the 2013-14 season for full previews and recaps on the men's basketball team.
