FULTON, Mo. – In a thriller American Midwest Conference opener that came down to the wire, the William Woods University men's basketball team defeated Benedictine University at Springfield 86-82.
 
The Owls (3-4: 1-0 AMC), for the second game in a row had four players finish the night in double-digits to help guide WWU to a strong start to its AMC play of their schedule.
 
WWU started the game right where the team left off earlier this week, after junior Austin Lowery drained a three-pointer within the first minute of the match-up. The Bulldogs quickly responded next trip down, as Stephen Shepherd hit an equalizing field goal, tying the game up and fans in Anderson Arena were set for a tremendous nightcap game.
 
After trading baskets for the rest of the first half and having the score tied seven different times, the Owls were able to take a 17-16 lead at the 11:55 mark, after Nate Bitner sank a three pointer. Then WWU would capture its largest lead of the half, after DJ Johnson converted a BU turnover into two points, extending the team's lead to 26-22.
 
Both teams continued to battle in the last 10:00 minutes of the first half, as Benedictine's Marvin Reveille tied the game for the fifth time, at 30-30 with 5:00 minutes till halftime. Shortly after, Jarett Boss would hit a three-pointer to give the Owls a 33-30 lead. Although, the Bulldogs would go on a 6-0 run in hopes for a late surge in the half, however, the Owls didn't back down.
 
With .30 seconds left in the first frame, Jarett Boss sank two free throws to tie the game up for the seventh time at 42-42 and put WWU in a good position before heading in the locker room.
 
Despite, a stellar first half effort by the Owls, Benedictine came down and hit a three-pointer, in the corner to give them a three point advantage, then off a WWU turnover, BU guard Wynn Adams capitalized with a put back underneath the basket right behind the horn would sound for half time, as the Bulldogs headed into the locker room with a five point swing, giving them the 47-42 lead.
 
The Owls shot a 40 percent from the field, led by Johnson, who netted 12 points, while Hill led the team on the boards with six.
 
In the second half, the Bulldogs came out with the momentum, hitting the first field-goal and giving them their largest lead of the night at 49-42 but just as the Owls have proved so far this season they would fight till the end, and chip away possession by possession.
 
The Owls offense continued to push, as Boss intercepted a pass from the wing and took it all the way to the basketball, while being fouled the WWU guard made the bonus free throw, for the old fashioned three point play, giving the Owls a 75-72 lead with 6:12 left to play.
 
After being down at halftime the Owls responded well to close the hard fought game, as Johnson nailed back to back field goals to outscore BU 44-35 in the final frame and secure the six point victory.
 
On the night, the Owls went 34-of-74 from the floor (45 percent), shot a 33 percent from beyond the arc and out rebounded the Bulldogs 47-39. WWU also recorded a season-high 25 assists.  The Owls defense was just as strong as the offense in the match-up, as the team forced the Bulldogs to commit 18 turnovers.
 
The Owls were led by a career-high performance from Johnson, as he posted 25 points on the night, going 12-of-19 from the floor, while also collecting seven rebounds. Boss, provided a nice spark off the bench on the night, scoring 16 points and shooting 50 percent from the field.
 
The Owls leading scorer, Hill, finished the night with 11 points and led the team on the boards with nine. Bitner was right behind Hill with 10 points and eight rebounds. while Lowery contributed eight points and a team-high nine assists.
 
"Tonight was a great team win, I feel like we are getting better and healthier" said head coach Nick Totta. "We had 25 assists, which is excellent and only committed 13 turnovers."
 
Totta added, "We are meshing together, having fun and have the depth for several individuals to step up."
 
The Owls return to action after the Thanksgiving break, on December 1^st, against Maryville University for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
 
Fans check back on wwuowls.com for a full preview of this event.

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