FULTON, Mo. – In spite of sustaining a few preseason injuries, changing the rotation and make up of the team, the William Woods University men's basketball team came out in its season opener determined to start the 2014-15 year off with a win. However, the effort came up short, as the Owls fell to Missouri Valley College 72-61, Saturday evening.
 It was a back and forth game in the first half, as there were nine different lead changes throughout the first 20:00 minutes of play. The Owls (0-1) took its largest lead of the half, after Jarett Boss connected with teammate DJ Johnson in the paint, giving WWU a 9-6 lead at the 15:00 minute mark.
 With 11:00 minutes left, it was more back and forth play. The Vikings would then force a WWU turnover and capitalize with a field goal, giving MVC its largest lead of the half and taking a 23-18 lead over the Owls.
 The offense didn't go quiet, while the Owls would then go on a 8-0 run, as sophomore transfer Alec Mulvhill netted back-to-back three pointers, giving the Owls a 24-23 lead with six minutes left to play in the first frame.
 Despite the Owls offensive surge and attempt to gain momentum, the team would trail 36-30 after 20:00 minutes of play.
 WWU went 11-of-25 from the floor and Mulvhill, a Drury Transfer led the Owls offensively with eight points.
 Coming out of the locker room, the Owls would start chipping away from the Vikings lead, after a field goal by Klayton Kuschel, cut the led to four points.
 Shortly after, senior Nate Bitner grabbed a rebound and put back, giving the Owls its first lead of the second half at 51-50.
 The team continued to fight but the Vikings defense progressed to fend off the Owls, as Vikings guard Brad Hamilton hit a three pointer, giving MVC a 60-55 lead. As MVC would regain the lead, they were able to hold onto it, going on and securing a 72-61 victory.
 WWU shot 40 percent in both halves, ending the game 23-of-53 from the floor. However, the Owls were outrebounded 35-32, was 6-of-25 from behind the arc and only 9-of-14 from the line. What also gave the team trouble was having 18 turnovers while forcing 13.
 The Owls were lead by Mulvhill on the night with 15 points. The Collierville, Tennessee native, was 6-of-11 from the field and shot 50 percent form behind the arc, in his first game as an Owl. Bitner, ended the night with 14 points and six rebounds, as Johnson contributed with ten points and five rebounds.
 The Owls will be back in action November 7th, as the team participates in the Columbia Classic and will take on Graceland University for a 4 p.m. tip-off.
