FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University women's basketball team saw its four game win streak snapped on Saturday afternoon, as the Owls fell to the No. 13 ranked Freed-Hardeman University 60-45.
 
The Owls (12-4, 7-3) suffered its first American Midwest Conference (AMC) loss since falling to Missouri Baptist University back on December 3^rd , breaking a six game win streak in conference play.
 
WWU came out of the gates sluggish, as FHU took an early 13-6 lead, after a Kim Mallory two point basket. Then the Lady Lions would extend its lead out to 12 points with 1:29 left to play in the first quarter, as Kenley Crowell nailed a three pointer, making the score 18-6.
 
The Owls would get its offense going and start clawing away at the Lady Lions lead, as Kelsey Scherder sank a three pointer at the 1:07 mark and then two free throws from Kennedy Volkart would get the Owls within seven of FHU. However, Brandee Busenlehner would drill a shot from downtown at the end of the first quarter, making the score 21-11 in FHU favor.
 
In the second quarter, the Owls still could find the momentum of offensive, as the Lady Lions held on to its double-digit lead, after Taleeah Cross dribbled her way through the lane and laid the ball in for two points with 5:22 left to play until half.
 
The Owls would put together a late surge, going on a 8-2 run to close out the second quarter and find themselves with four points down from the Lady Lions at 31-27, after a Nia Lateju put back. FHU would then two key stops defensive and convert them into back-to-back baskets, to head into the locker room up 35-21 over WWU.
 
William Woods shot 35.7 percent from the field but was just 2-of-9 from the three point line, while FHU was 13-of-35 from the floor and shot 35.7 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Coming out of the break, the Owls knew they needed to have a better second half and they did just that, holding the Lady Lions to just seven points In the third frame. WWU went on a 8-0 run, to cut the Lady Lions lead down to two at 39-37, after a Scherder basket. In a low scoring quarter, where both defensives were diligent, the Owls headed into the final frame only down by three, 42-29.
 
In the fourth quarter, it was FHU who put some distance between them and the Owls, as the Lady Lions regained its double figure lead at the 3:21 mark, after a two point bucket and WWU didn't have an answer. The Lady Lions would go on to secure the 60-45 victory over WWU.
 
William Woods ended the night, shooting 37.0 percent from the field and 80.0 percent from the free throw line, while FHU closed out the game shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 36.8 from downtown.
The Owls were led by seniors, Marissa Webb and Nia Lateju, as both had a team-high nine points, while Kennedy Volkart chipped in eight points and six rebounds and Kelsey Scherder added seven points. For the fifth game straight, guard Julia Wells has led the team with double-digit rebounds, as the senior collected 10 boards with her four points.
 
WWU will not begin its five game road trip, as the Owls next game is next Thursday at Stephens College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
Fans stay updated on wwuowls.com during this five game road spree for recaps and scores.

Tweet ##Owls_WBB