FULTON, Mo.— The William Woods University men's basketball team will look to snap its two-game skid and pick up its first American Midwest Conference (AMC) win on the year, as the Owls host Lyon College. Tip-off starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Owls (1-3), are coming off a tough 85-82 defeat against Avila University in its last time out. The team had a chance to tie the game and force overtime, but its three-point attempt at the buzzer came up short.
In its outing against the Eagles, WWU shot 45.9 percent from the floor and were led by
Deon Pettigrew, who posted a season-high 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
Bryan DeGeare, added 15 points on 60.0 percent (6-of-10) shooting, while
Kevin House and
Trey Mitchell added 14 and 13 points respectively.
On the season, the Owls are averaging 77.5 points per game, while owning a field goal percentage of 42.9.
Individually, House, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native, is leading the way with a 14.5 point per game average, while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor, 85.0 percent from the charity-stripe and has dished out a team-high 26 assists.
After his offensive outburst against Avila, Pettigrew, upped his season average to 12.8 points per game and leads the team with eight steals, while DeGeare, is third on the team in average (12.0 ppg), but leads the Owls in rebounds (29) and blocked shots (five).
"We've played a good schedule thus far," said head coach
Nick Totta. "We have competed well, but we just need to come together, mesh and execute down the stretch."
Entering Anderson Arena on Thursday night, will be a Scots (2-1) team, which is coming off a 76-70 loss against College of the Ozarks back on November 13
th.
Lyon shot 46.7 percent from the floor against COFO, while also going 24-of-30 from the free throw line. Joe Burt led the way on the night, scoring a game-high 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting and added eight boards.
Braden Wendel totaled 12 points, while John Nekonchuck contributed 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting and totaled a game-high four blocks.
On the season, the team is averaging 68.7 points per game, while shooting 45.8 percent from the floor, 41.7 percent from downtown and have totaled 100 rebounds.
"Lyon does a great job executing and their shot selection is outstanding," Totta said. "When you put that together with good shooters and smart players, you have developed a good recipe for success."
The Scots are led by Riley Jenkins averaging 20.7 points, while shooting 45.7 percent from the floor, 51.7 percent from downtown and 88.2 percent from the free throw line.
"Riley, is as good of a shooter we will see all year," said Totta. "Obviously you want to make him work to get his points by contesting and challenging every look, but that's easier said than done."
Burt, is second on the team with a 17.7 point per game average, but leads the Scots from the field (54.8 percent) and on the glass (25 rebounds).
"They are an outstanding defensive rebounding team," said Totta. "They do not look like they are a good offensive team on paper, but that's by design. They are very good in defensive transition because they get people back instead of crashing the offensive glass."
He added, "Ideally, we want to control the defensive boards, but also work to get offensive rebounds that could lead to some put backs and help us score in another way other than transition and ½ court offense."
Fans make sure to stay updated on wwuowls.com tomorrow night for a full recap and score from Anderson Arena.
