ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The William Woods University men's basketball team picked up its 10
th win on the season, as the Owls escaped St. Louis College of Pharmacy with a 71-57 victory on Thursday night.
After trailing most of the first half, the Owls (10-17; 7-12 AMC) came out with some urgency in the second half, to capture a key American Midwest Conference victory and the series sweep over the Eutectics.
WWU had a slow start offensively on the night, as STLCOP jumped out to a 7-3 lead, and then would go on a 8-2 run to extend its lead to 15-5 after a three pointer from Eutectics Clayton Earhart at the 16:44 mark.
Shortly after, the Owls
Alec Mulvihill would get his career-high night rolling by draining a three pointer, to start an Owls run at the 14:53 mark. Over the next two minutes, Mulvihill hit another three, getting the Owls within one point(17-16) of STLCOP, then the guard would continue to have the hot hand, tying the game up 21-21 at the 9:53 mark, by sinking his third three pointer of the half. However, the Eutectics wouldn't let the momentum shift in WWU favor, as they fought off the Owls by trading baskets down the stretch of the first frame.
With a 1:05 minute left in the first 20:00 minutes of play, the Owls would take its first lead of the game(41-40), after a two-point field goal from
Nate Bitner, trying to give WWU a boost of energy heading into the locker room. Although, STLCOP would get an offensive rebound and put back as the clock was winding down, to take a 42-41 advantage over the Owls at the half.
In a high scoring first half, as both teams shot over a 40 percent from the field, while Mulvihill led the way for the Owls, posting 15 points, which were are collected from beyond the arc.
After both teams came out in the second half scoring a quick field-goal, followed by a four minute spam of a cold streak from each team. Then at the 11:52 mark
Jerel Wilhite would tie the game at 46-46, after a couple free throws. Mulvihill would then make his appearance in the second half with his fourth three on the night, giving WWU the 51-48 lead and the offensive spark needed to control the rest of the game for the Owls.
WWU would push its lead up to double digits with 2:11 left to play in regulation, as the team would convert on necessary free throws and go on to secure the 14 point, 71-57 victory over the Eutectics.
The Owls closed the game, shooting 42.6 percent from the field and went a blistering 7-of-16 from the three point line (43.8 percent). Mulvihill, the Collierville, Tennessee native, paced the way for WWU off the bench, collecting six of the teams seven three pointers, while recording a career-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
Bitner, added 10 points and six rebounds on the night, as
Darrien Dickey nabbed a team-high 10 rebounds on the night.
The Owls defense was just as strong as its offense in the second half, as the team held the Eutectics to just 15 final frame points, and forced the team to commit 16 turnovers on the night.
William Woods will return to Anderson Arena on Saturday afternoon, for its last home game of the regular season, as the team hosts Park University for a 4:00 p.m tip-off.
At the conclusion of the game the team will honor its three seniors
Nate Bitner,
Derrick Hayes and
Matt Helle on the year.
Fans check back on wwuowls.com tomorrow for a full preview of this AMC showdown.
