ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The William Woods University men's basketball team defeated Missouri Baptist University, 85-71, in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Quarterfinals on Wednesday evening. The Owls advanced to the AMC Semifinals on Friday, March 4th at 7 p.m.
 
The Owls had four players score in double-figures on the evening with Bryan DeGeare scoring 19 points and collecting 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Kevin House followed with 18 points.
 
Game Flow
In a back-and-forth first half both teams continued to trade leads. DJ Johnson put the Owls ahead by two, 14-12, after a jumper in the paint. The Owls stretched the lead up to 16-12 but the Spartans answered right back.
 
William Woods continued to extend its lead as a jumper in the paint by Darrien Dickey put the Owls ahead 25-21. The lead did not last long, as Missouri Baptist scored the next five points, capped by a three point shot by Chris Buzzell putting the Spartans ahead 26-25.
 
With the game tied at 29-29, the Owls scored the next six points taking a 35-29, and continued to hold onto the lead for the rest of the first half. William Woods extended its lead to eight points, 47-39, at halftime. The Owls shot 44 percent in the first half of the contest.
 
The Spartans slowly started coming back in the second half on a fastbreak layup by Will Harrington. Harrington's layup tripped the lead down to five points, 49-44. After Missouri Baptist got the game within five points, the Owls stretched the lead to double-figures after a pair of free throws by House.
 
After taking a ten point lead, 56-46, the Owls slowly went cold and Missouri Baptist went on a 10-0 run tying the game at 56-56 with 10:42 left in the contest. William Woods answered the Spartans run with a 12-0 run of their own taking a 12 point lead, 68-56.
 
After taking the lead, William Woods held the lead for the rest of the game. The closest the Spartans got was five points, 70-65, with 3:26 left in the contest. WWU continued to extend their lead by hitting 11 free throws down the stretch and WWU defeated the Spartans, 85-71.
 
By The Numbers
44 – The Owls shot 44 percent in the first half of the contest
32 – WWU scored 32 points in the points
31 – The Owls scored 31 points off turnovers off of 22 Missouri Baptist Turnovers
19 – Bryan DeGeare scored 19 points leading WWU in scoring. He has scored in double-figures in the last three games
11 – Bryan DeGeare collected 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season
4 – William Woods had four players score in double-figures
27-for-36 – The Owls went 27-for-36 from the free throw line in the contest
 
Next Game
The Owls return to action on Friday, March, 4th when they travel to Henderson, Tennessee to face the top seed of the AMC Tournament Freed-Hardeman University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.