FULTON, Mo.—Before Thanksgiving break, the William Woods University men's basketball team will look to get over the .500 mark overall, as the Owls host Missouri Valley College in a non-conference showdown. Tip-off will start at 7:30 p.m.
The Owls (3-3; 2-0 AMC), stayed perfect in the AMC against Central Baptist in its last time out, as they defeated the Mustangs, 99-85. The team shot 48.3 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from beyond-the-arc and got to the free throw line a season-high 48 times, while converting 34.
Senior
Kevin House led the way offensively, as he posted a season-high 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while adding eight assists and seven boards. Another senior,
Austin Lowery, went a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line and ended the night with 18 points off the bench.
Deon Pettigrew, a Tampa, Florida, native, finished with 17 points, 13 of which came from the free throw line, as he got to the line 20 times.
Bryan DeGeare, meanwhile, was the fourth Owl to reach double-figures, as he netted 15 points and grabbed down eight rebounds.
During its last two games, the Owls offense has been rolling, averaging 86.0 points, while shooting 49.2 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from downtown and has totaled 88 rebounds. Defensively, the team has been stout, holding opponents to a 66.0 point per game average, a field goal percentage of 35.0, has forced 25 turnovers and blocked 13 shots.
"I think we have changed up our coverage defensively, which has allowed us to get the opposing offense off-balance," said head coach
Nick Totta.
Individually, Lowery, a St. Charles, Missouri, native, is averaging 18.5 points per game in the last two outings, while shooting a team-high 68.8 percent from the floor and is second on the team with eight assists.
House, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native, is averaging 13.5 points and leads the Owls with 13 assists, while DeGeare and Pettigrew are both putting up 13.0 points per game.
On the season, the Owls are scoring 80.3 points and shooting 44.9 percent from the floor and 70.3 percent from the charity-stripe. The team also ranks eighth in the NAIA in total blocks (31) and ninth in blocks per game (5.16).
House, leads all scorers with a 14.2 point per game average, while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 84.6 percent from the free throw line. Pettigrew (12.8 ppg), DeGeare (12.3 ppg) and Lowery (12.0 ppg), all are averaging at least 12.0 points and shooting above 45.0 percent from the field.
Pettigrew, leads the team in steals (12), DeGeare, is the leader on the boards (46), while Lowery, is shooting a team-high 53.5 percent from the floor.
After winning its first game, Missouri Valley (1-3; 0-2 HAAC), has dropped three consecutive games, including a tough 107-99 overtime loss to Graceland University in its last time out.
The Vikings, shot 51.6 percent from the floor and were led by Jordan Bowling's 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting and eight rebounds. Mitch Wood, added a season-high 16 points off the bench, while three other players reached double-figures as well.
On the season, MVC, is scoring 82.8 points and are led by Brody Gronewold's 18.8 average. Gronewold, is shooting 48.0 percent from the floor and leads the Vikings in 3-pointers made (12).
Bowling, is second on the team in scoring (15.3 ppg) and rebounds (24), while Raviel Burton, is averaging 13.8 points, shooting 58.3 percent from the floor and has grabbed down a team-high 27 boards.
"They were a national tournament team last season and beat the best team in our conference," said Totta. "I don't think in any way you can't say they won't be ready. They are a quality team, with players coming back and some new ones. I expect them to improve and a team that's going to have a say in the HAAC."
Fans make sure to stay updated on wwuowls.com tomorrow night for a full recap and score from inside Anderson Arena.
