FULTON, Mo. – After a week since its last game, The William Woods University men's basketball team looks for its 10
th win on the year, as the Owls host Lindenwood University-Belleville Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.
The Owls (9-15; 6-10 AMC), are coming off a two-game road series last week, as the team in its last outing fell 78-62 to No. 4 ranked Freed-Hardeman University. WWU couldn't quit pull off the upset of the year, as the team dropped the season series against the Lions, who are still sitting on top of the American Midwest Conference (AMC) standings.
In the first half of the match-up it was anybody's game, while both teams struggled from the three point line, where there were just a combined of two three-pointers made all half. Despite the Owls late surge offensively in the first frame, FHU would head into the locker room at halftime with a seven point lead, 39-32.
Both teams shot over 40 percent from the field, as
DJ Johnson paced the way for the Owls, netting 11 points in the first 20:00 minutes of play.
Coming out of the half, it was all FHU, as the Lions offensive came out with spark of energy, while the team controlled most of the second half.
Darrien Dickey tried to be the catalyst the Owls offense needed, as the freshman hit back-to-back baskets with less than 10:00 minutes to play, however it was not enough to stop the Lions, while FHU went on to collect its ninth straight victory, defeating the Owls 78-62.
WWU finished the game shooting 40.6 percent from the field, just 29.6 percent from the three point line and as the team struggle from the charity stripe, only connecting on 5-of-17.
Johnson, had an impressive outing for the Owls, the junior ended the game totaling a team-high 20 points, on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, while grabbing down six rebounds on the night. Dickey, the Iberia, Missouri native, chipped in 13 points, going 5-of-9 from the floor, and making three of the teams four three-pointers in the match-up.
On the season, Johnson leads the Owls in several categories, which includes, points (10.9 per game), rebounds (5.32 per game) and blocks with 14 on the year. The Topeka, Kansas native is the lone Owl to be shooting over 50 percent from the field (51.6 percent).
Two other key impacts for WWU are
Ryan Hill and
Nate Bitner, as both guards are averaging nine points per game, while shooting over 40 percent from the floor and posting over 30 percent from beyond the arc.
The last time the Lynxs and Owls met up, back on January 3
rd of this year, WWU fell just short 69-66 to LU. The Owls fought a hard battle throughout the match-up and with seconds left in regulation had a chance to tie to game, although a missed three-pointer at the buzzer gave the Lynxs the victory over the Owls.
Lindenwood-Belleville is currently 15-10 on the year and 12-5 in AMC play. In the team's last outing, the Lynxs defeated Missouri Baptist in dominating fashion 103-73, were five players for LU ended the night in double digits. Jovan Leamy totaled a game-high 23 points, on 7-of-15 shooting, while Lawson Warren recorded a double-double, netting 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds on the night.
On the season, Craig Anderson leads the way for the Lynx, averaging 20.2 points per game, which is also the best in the AMC on the year. The guard is shooting 47.1 from the field and 26 percent from the three point line, as he has scored in double-digits in every single game but one this season for LU. Some other players the Owls will have to keep an eye on are Noel Allen and Warren, as both forwards are posting 11.5 points per game on the season.
The Owls look for some redemption against LU and in hopes to even the season series, in front of the team's home stand inside Anderson Arena.
Fans stay updated on wwuowls.com tomorrow evening for a full recap and score of this match-up.
