ST. LOUIS, Mo. – In its first game back after the break, the William Woods University women's basketball team fell 84-61 to Missouri Baptist University on Thursday night.
 
The Owls (5-2; 1-2 AMC), dropped its second American Midwest Conference (AMC) game of the season, as the team couldn't overcome a cold second half, ending the night shooting just 39.7 percent from the floor and 25.0 percent from three point line.
 
In the first quarter, WWU took an early 15-10 lead, after Marissa Webb forced a MBU turnover and went down the court to convert it into a two point bucket. Then a Nia Lateju basket shortly after gave the Owls a 17-12 lead with just under four minutes left in the first frame.
 
However, that would be the last lead the Owls would maintain the rest of the contest, as the Spartans rallied off a 9-4 run to tie the game up at 21-21, and then in the final minute of the quarter MBU nailed two huge baskets to give them the four point lead 25-21 at the end of the first 10:00 minutes of play.
 
After MBU grabbed the momentum, the Owls came out in the second quarter knowing they had work to take care of and they did just that, as senior Julia Wells knocked down a three pointer to get within three points of the Spartans (27-24). WWU continued to battle until Kennedy Volkart knotted the game up at 29 all after a two point bucket inside the paint.
 
Missouri Baptist was able to regain the lead at 35-31 after a Danna Jenkins bucket at the 3:03 mark, but then freshman Bailey Rollins collected a huge steal and capitalized by cutting the Spartans advantage to just two, as the horn sounded for halftime, it was MBU who went into the locker room with the 35-33 lead.
 
At half both teams matched-up similar statically, as WWU shot 57.1 percent from the floor, 66.7 percent from the three point line and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. MBU went 16-for-29 (55.2 percent) from the field, 50.0 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe.
 
Coming out of the half, it was MBU who went on a 11-2 run jumping out to a 46-35 lead, capped off by another Jenkins basket and forcing the Owls to call a time out to try and regroup. Kendra Vernatti would try to give WWU a boost of energy after an offensive put back to cut the Spartans lead down to eight, but MBU ended the third quarter maintaining a double-digit lead and headed into the fourth quarter with the 54-44 advantage.
 
In the final frame, the Spartans continued to shock the Owls and WWU couldn't find an answer offensively, as the fourth quarter was all MBU. After trailing 61-44, at the 8:19 mark, the Owls still weren't back down, Nia Lateju would sink two free throws to cut the Spartans lead down to 13 (61-48). Although, that would be as close as the Owls would get, as MBU went on the gain some breathing room, taking a commanding 80-57 lead and then shortly after secured the 84-61 victory for its first AMC victory of the year.
 
William Woods closed out the game on  a cold shooting second half, as the team went 8-for-30 from the floor and was outscored by the Spartans 49-28 in the final two quarters. The Owls were led by Lateju, as the senior forward  posted 11 points and five rebounds, while Volkart and Wells each contributed eight points. Webb and Vernatti also chipped in seven points a piece for WWU.
 
Missouri Baptist, meanwhile, ended the night shooting 52.5 percent from the floor and 57.1 percent from downtown, as Jerica Hawkins led the Spartans with a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds and Morgan Settle added 17 points, going an impressive 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
 
The Owls will return to action on Saturday, as the team travels back to St. Louis, Missouri but this time for a match-up against Harris-Stowe State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
 
Fans check back on wwuowls.com for a full recap and score on Saturday from St. Louis, Missouri. 

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