FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's basketball team will look to build off its back-to-back victories and pick up its second win in the American Midwest Conference (AMC), as the Owls host Hannibal-LaGrange University Thursday evening. Tip-off will start at 7:30 p.m.
 
In the Owls (3-4; 1-0AMC) last outing, the team fell to Maryville University 100-63, in an exhibition match-up on Monday night. DJ Johnson and Alec Mulvihill led WWU offensively, as both shot 50 percent from the floor. Johnson netted 16 points on the night, while Mulvihill recorded 15.
 
On the season, the Owls have five players averaging double-digits in scoring, leading the way is sophomore Ryan Hill, averaging 13.0 points per game, shooting a stunning 63.8 percent from the floor and a red hot 52.9 percent from the three-point line. He is currently ranked No. 7 in field goal percentage (63.8) on the year.
 
Johnson, is second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.7 points per game, as he has scored in double-digits six of the teams eight games so far this season. The Topeka, Kansas native, leads the team in several other categories, which include rebounds (52), steals (seven) and blocks (eight).
 
Nate Bitner has pushed his averages to 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on the season, while WWU guards, Mulvihill and Jarett Boss have provided sparks off the bench, averaging 10.3 and 10.0 points per game respectively.
 
In the past two games, the Owls offense has been performing well, shooting a 54.9 percent and averaging 91.5 points per game. Hill has been solid from the floor, shooting a 66.7 percent, hitting 7-of-9 from beyond the arc (77 percent) and collecting 18.0 points in the past two victories. Bitner (17.5), Johnson (17.5), Boss (16.0), and Austin Lowery (13.0), have all averaged double-digits points and shooting at least 45 percent from the field.
 
In those two games against Missouri Valley College and Benedictine University at Springfield, William Woods hold a combined advantage in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and points per game.
 
The Trojans (1-6; 1-1AMC), have lost four of their past five games, including a 55-45 loss at the hands of AMC standing leader Columbia College.  However, HLG hit a last second three-pointer against Missouri Baptist University to collect its first AMC win.
 
On the season, HLG is led by Jay Jones, who is averaging 15.5 points per game, and shooting a 45 percent from the field. Jones has scored in double-digits for the Trojans in every game but one this season.
 
Joe Reed is another key player for the Trojans, averaging 7.0 points per game and is leading the team in rebounds with 37 (5.3 per game).
 
The Owls will look to continue to have a strong offensive performance against Hannibal-LaGrange, as WWU has totaled 516 points in seven games, while the Trojans have 359.
 
Fans stay updated tomorrow night on wwuowls.com for a full recap and score on this conference showdown at Anderson Arena.
 
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