BATESVILLE, Ark.- The William Woods University men's basketball team captured a key American Midwest Conference (AMC) victory Thursday night against Lyon College, as three Owl players ended the night in double-digits to lead the team to a 61-57 win over the Scots.
 
The Owls (9-14; 6-9 AMC) had another nail bitter, as the team had a hot second half shooting that gave them the momentum down the stretch of the match-up, giving WWU the four point road victory.
 
TaiRhe Turner would get the Owls on the board first at the 18:52 mark with a field goal inside the paint, making it a quick WWU 2-0 lead. Then after a Ryan Hill field goal, the Owls would push its lead up to 12-7 with 12:43 left to play in the first 20:00 minutes of the game.
 
Lyon College wouldn't stay quiet long, as Filip Gujanicic tied the game up 12-12 at the 11:15 mark, with a two-pointer from the block.  Although, just like all season,  WWU wouldn't give up and after trading baskets throughout the first frame, the Scots would go on a 14-5 run to close the first frame and headed into the half with a seven point lead, 30-27 over the Owls.
 
In the first half, the Owls struggled from the floor, shooting a 32 percent from the field, on just 8-of-25 shooting and going 0-of-4 from the three point line. Turner led the way for the Owls with six points.
 
Coming out of the locker room William Woods knew they would need to chip away from the seven point deficient and the team did just that, as DJ Johnson recorded a three point play the old fashioned way, tying the game at 37-37 and trying to give WWU the offensive spark with 14:26 left to play.
 
After a few LC free throws, the Scots would regain the lead, however that would be the last time, after a two-point field goal from Derrick Hayes would tie the game for the sixth time on the night, 43-43 and that was all for the Scots on the night.
 
WWU would close the match-up red hot, while senior Nate Bitner started the spark, as he nailed a three pointer, giving the Owls its largest lead of the night and making the score 50-43 in the Owls favor.
 
Shortly after, Bitner would strike again, draining his third three pointer of the night, pushing William Woods advantage to 53-48 with just 3:48 minutes to play in regulation.
 
The Owls defense would step up, stopping the Scots offensive surge in the final minutes, as WWU maintained its composure, converted from the free throw line and went on the secure the 61-57 victory over Lyon College.
 
WWU outscored the Scots 38-27 in the final frame, shooting a season-high 63.6 percent from the field and a blistering 57 percent from beyond the arc.
 
The Owls closed the game shooting a 46.8 percent from the field and a 36 percent from the three point line, as three players ended the night in double figures to help guide the team past the Scots.
 
Bitner, the Kearney, Missouri native, led the way for the Owls, totaling 14 points, as the senior went 3-of-8 from down town and went a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line. Johnson, was the second leading scored for WWU, netting 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Turner chipped in 10 points on the night, as the guard went 5-of-6 from the field.
 
The Scots shot a 50 percent from the field in the first frame but was held 39 percent shooting in the second half, while only hitting 29 percent of the teams shots from the three point line. Devonte Young ended the night with a game-high 16 points and six rebounds.
 
The Owls continue its two game road series, on Saturday evening, as the team will travel to No. 4 ranked Freed-Hardeman University and look for the upset.
 
Fans check back on wwuowls.com for a preview of this match-up. 

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